The association of producers of the Valley of Caderechas, proprietor of the cherry and apple guarantee marks, agreed in its last general assembly on the main lines of action for this year, the renewal of positions -which aren't changing-, and approved a 50,000 Euro budget for the new period.
Juan Jose Gandia, the president of the association, stated they had "green-lighted the Flora fair in Burgos, the cherry and apple fairs in the valley, and that they would participate in the Fruitt fair in Madrid, because of the good results we have achieved there in prior occasions." And to continue the training program last year recovered "because of its importance for producers".
He also said that, once they had studied all the requirements, they intended to join the National Bureau of Cherry promoted from Jerte, Extremadura. In May a delegation of fruit growers from the association will visit Jerte.
Flowering in April
Gandia also said that, "if there are outstanding weather changes, the cherry trees will start blooming in late April. February was very cold and slowed the development of the buds, which had developed more than usual because of the mild winter."
As a result, the flowering and fruit production process are within the normal parameter of the valley. Producers haven't made forecasts for this campaign, "since, beginning the flowering, we are in the most delicate phases of production and everything is subject to the weather."
In a normal year, the Valley of Caderechas produces 2 million kilos of cherries, half of which are consumed fresh. Last campaign, 325,000 kilos were sold under the guarantee mark. This means that, in recent years, certified cherries - which are grown under controlled conditions - have increased by 75,000 kilos.
Production of Russet apples has also increased thanks to promotional campaigns and now exceeds 35 hectares. After the creation of the CadeFruit cooperative, the establishment of a fruit processing industry in the valley, which will allow the small towns in the area to work throughout the year, progresses steadily.
Source: elcorreodeburgos.com
