João Negrão, the Executive Director of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), officially launched the 2025/2026 season for the Mollar de Elche Pomegranate Protected Designation of Origin. The event featured a symbolic grape cutting at Innovation Labo's organic farm in the Santa Ana district of Elche.
Francisco Oliva, the president of the Mollar de Elche Pomegranate PDO Regulatory Council, described the season's inauguration with the EUIPO Executive Director as "a privilege, as this institution plays a crucial role in safeguarding authentic quality labels from imitations and misuses."
© Granada Mollar de Elche
"It is an honor to sponsor this campaign and stand alongside the PDO Granada Mollar de Elche in its dedication to quality and authenticity," stated João Negrão, the executive director of EUIPO and campaign sponsor.
Oliva noted they are excited, cautious, and hopeful for this season. "We were very happy because the thrips outbreak that caused us so many problems last year has been effectively controlled, but the weather has once again tested us. The rains in September allowed us to produce a larger, high-quality pomegranate, but the most recent rains did not arrive at the ideal time. This recent event has delayed the harvest that was already underway, and the pomegranate skin may age, with some fruit possibly opening due to excess water."
© Granada Mollar de Elche
"Under normal circumstances, we would expect around 40,000 tons with 20% less fresh production due to skin blemishes caused by the summer sun. It's still too early to know how the rains of the last few days will affect the crop, but hopefully there will be little damage and we will have a good season as expected," he said.
The event also provided an opportunity to learn about the work conducted by Innovation Labo, a spin-off from the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) affiliated with the Institute for Research, Development and Innovation in Health Biotechnology of Elche (IDIBE).
The company focuses on developing and producing high-value food and cosmetic ingredients through organic farming and the smart management of indigenous microbial resources.
© Granada Mollar de Elche
The UMH vice-rector for Internationalisation and Cooperation, Vicente Micol, explained that the company is developing a pomegranate extract obtained through exclusive fermentation, extraction, and encapsulation techniques.
The Mollar de Elche pomegranate is the foundation for these projects, which use the entire fruit to create nutraceuticals and cosmetics for the European and Japanese markets. Fifty Japanese professionals—scientists, doctors, and sales managers—have taken part in a business and scientific trip organized by Innovation Labo.
For more information:
DOP Granada Mollar de Elche
Tel.: +34 633 111 228
Email: [email protected]
www.granadaselche.com
