Certified planted area has more than doubled this season to 136ha
The Cieza Peach Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) is on course to market a record volume in 2026. With 136ha of certified production this year – up from 60ha last season – and the number of registered producers rising from 29 to 61, output is expected to reach around 4,000 tonnes, compared to 1,000 tonnes in 2025.
Manuel Ruiz, president of the Cieza Peach PGI, said the increase is due to favourable growing conditions, the addition of new varieties under the quality seal, and growing interest from farmers in joining a label that can add value to their crop.
As reported in La Verdad, harvesting began about a week ago with the Levante 45 variety, one of the newly incorporated varieties. This will be followed by Romea and Grocivac. Harvesting then moves on to Baby Gold 6, with the season concluding at the beginning of September with Manolito.
Ruiz noted: “We’re having a good season in terms of production, although with some ups and downs in the markets”. He said this was due to several factors, including the evolution of European demand, competition from other producing regions, and the usual fluctuations that occur in the first weeks of the season.
The municipality of Cieza in Murcia produces around 250,000 tonnes of peaches a year, making it one of Europe’s leading production regions. The fruit is marketed through three cooperatives: La Vega de Cieza, Thader and Alimer, as well as through dozens of independent producers.
In recent years, new varieties have been gaining ground, including the Platerina, a thin-skinned flat peach.
