The cherry season in the Region of Murcia, which began in July and will end next month, brings good news. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the production of this fruit will exceed 1,600 tons, 10% more than in the 2013 campaign.
These figures reflect the expansion of this crop, which has little tradition in the province. Between 2004 and 2013, the production area in Murcia increased to 181 hectares (93%). This area is mainly concentrated in the regions of the Altiplano (50%), Vega del Segura (8%) and Guadalentin Valley (3%).
Murcia cherries are sold to nine countries of the European Union, which account for 85 percent of exports. The main targets are Germany (69%) and Belgium (11%).
The domestic production of cherries in 2013 amounted to 87,000 tons. Extremadura and Aragon were the main growing communities, with 37 and 22 percent of the total. The Region of Murcia ranked ninth place (2%).
Source: laopiniondemurcia.es