They have been fighting for it for 14 years and now the French Roussillon apricot will have it's AOC label (appellation d'origin controlée). The syndicate of producers began the demand in 2000 and it concerns 200 or so producers in the region. ''Whilst other departments make great volume, here it is about underlining the quality and preservation of a region and a know-how''says Eric Hostalnou from the Pyrénées-Orienales Chamber of Agriculture.
The name Red Apricots of Roussillon covers all varieties of red Roussillon apricots. The Red Apricots of Rousillon represent half of the Pyrénées-Orientales production (6,000 tons with a 12,000 ton potential). 420 ha of traditionally farmed and organically farmed over 1,2000 ha.