The red Roussillon apricot has excellent qualities, but does not have a label making them recognisable. The Minister of Agriculture is trying to increase it’s recognition, but protecting the apricots at a European level. The Roussillion Chamber of Agriculture is defending the apricots that have been looking for recognition since 2000. The aim is to protect the fruit through obtaining a French AOC (controlled designation of origin) and then a European AOP (protected designation of origin).
The Roussillon red apricot is orange with red highlights, measures between 3.5-5.5cm in diameter, has low acidity, a sweet flavour and a soft texture. In 2013 5,200 tons were produced in 100 communes in Catalonia, where it is an endemic variety, as trials to plant it elsewhere never worked.