Whilst the shallot season is in full-swing, the Fleuron d’Anjou cooperative have announced that an “Anjou Shallot” PGI is imminent. The decision will take effect at the end of July and was long awaited by the 30 producers in the sector. Anjou shallots are planted and harvested by hand and cover 150 hectares. One third (3,000 tons annually) of production is exported.
The PGI represents a sign of the identity of origin and quality for the producers and is a way to stand up to competition from other varieties grown from seed in Holland, notably those commercialised as shallots that are in fact small onions. This seed product is big competition for conventional shallots that had a very bad 2014-2015 season.