Producers of the protected Valley del Jerte variety are forecasting record volumes and excellent quality
Spain’s Picota cherry producers are expecting a stellar season with a substantial increase in volumes and excellent quality.
Industry group Agrupación de Cooperativas del Valle del Jerte is forecasting around 16-18,000 tonnes in production, with around 60 per cent of that earmarked primarily for export to the UK and Germany.
“We are expecting a big rise in output and much better quality compared to recent seasons,” said Mónica Tierno Díaz, managing director of the group.
“There are a number of reasons for this – the number of cooling hours during winter, sufficient rainfall, and favourable temperatures at the start of spring. We are anticipating a great season.”
In the UK, the crop will be promoted across 100 Morrisons stores, along with sampling at Tesco head office, consumer and trade advertising, the annual Pick A Picota week, new recipes from Spanish chef Omar Allibhoy, and other influencer collaborations.
Naturally stalkless Picota cherries have Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, with availability between late May and early August.
To help mitigate volatile energy costs, growers have installed solar panels on farms in the region, as well as a new R&D agreement looking at varietal development for other cherry varieties suited to the Jerte Valley.
“We already had this for the Picota cherry, and now we’re doing it for the conventional cherry too,” explained Tierno Díaz.
