The final result of the cherry campaign under the Quality Brand of the Valley of las Caderechas has been better than initially expected.
According to sources of the Brand, 138,000 kilos of cherries have so far been certified with the seal, representing an increase of 20% over last year.
However, they point out that this is still far from full potential and highlight the irregular flowering in spring as a limiting factor in the production of certified cherries.
The most positive news for the fruit's growers this year, they say, is that "all volumes produced under the brand have been sold for fresh consumption," leaving nothing for industrial use.
It is worth recalling that this is the first year that the certified cherry has been sold in Mercamadrid, which has opened a new and important distribution channel in the domestic market.
The partners' final assessment of the campaign is that "it has been better than expected," highlighting the high quality of the fruit, which is steadily gaining ground in the premium fresh fruit market.
Nevertheless, the irregular weather conditions during the flowering stage of the cherry trees have caused a reduction in the production, although as shown by the figures, this has not affected the certified cherries.
The positive effect of the delay in the ripening process, as pointed out by the fruit growers, is that certified cherries are still being harvested at this very moment, "so virtually nothing will be left in the trees."
The most negative effect of the irregular spring flowering has been suffered by Reineta apples, where there is still uncertainty about the volume to be harvested in the coming months.
In fact, most growers are pessimistic about the outcome of the campaign because, regardless of the delay that has already affected the cherries, apples are scarce in the trees without a reasonable cause.
However, the forecast is that there should be enough Reineta apples in time to celebrate the increasingly popular Reineta apple Fair in Cantabrana, announced for 16 October.
The overall capacity of the land where the apple trees are grown by associated producers of the Quality Brand is estimated at 200,000 kilograms, while last year's production, which was considered "a good one," reached approximately 150,000 kilograms.
It is worth noting that Reineta apples sold under the Quality Brand must undergo a specific process before reaching the consumer; this affects their production on the farm, the harvesting method (done manually, one by one) and their storage.
No artificial atmosphere control systems are used for the latter; the product must be stored in places with a controlled temperature and humidity, but without technological interference.
All these controls are supplemented with analyses and tastings of the apples before they are granted the label of the Quality Brand.
Thus, only extra, first and second class categories are allowed, with the apples grown in the Valley of las Caderechas presenting unique organoleptic characteristics, based on their sugar content and acidity.
Source: elcorreodeburgos.es
