Since August 20, consumers can find or request PDO Vinalopo Bagged Grapes in their usual places of purchase. At the moment, only the earliest varieties, such as Victoria, are being harvested, but producers will soon start harvesting the emblematic Ideal (Italian Muscat), Doña María, and Red Globe varieties.
After a 2020 campaign marked by 'normality' in the markets and in the weather conditions, producers of these grapes face a 2021 campaign with some uncertainty. “We do not know how the markets are going to respond in a changing and volatile context that is being affected by the pandemic. Last year, the increase in the time spent at home increased the consumption of fruits such as grapes, but we believe that this year there is more fluctuation," the Regulatory Council stated.
However, the PDO wants to launch an optimistic message, as the production planned for 2021 (more than 40 million kg) is similar to that of 2020, even though producers expect to have a smaller harvest due to the climatic phenomena in the spring that mainly affected the latest Aledo variety.
Thus, the fact that the inscription in the Denomination of Origin is stabilized, despite issues such as the dire conditions for contracting agricultural insurance -as both inscriptions are usually made simultaneously- is a positive aspect. “Excessively optimistic messages aren't good, but neither are the catastrophic messages. The situation isn't simple, but we must remember we have a fundamental tool in terms of marketing, such as a Denomination of Origin, which allows us to differentiate ourselves in the markets and better position our products,” the PDO stated.
In addition, we must take into account that the pandemic has radically changed the perspective of consumers and their demands. They are increasingly informed, committed, and aware of the added value that a seal such as the Denomination of Origin provides. The PDO insisted that the only way to have a sustainable sector in the medium term was through this path of differentiation and having a clear commitment to excellent quality: “We represent more than 300 small and medium-sized farmers and marketers linked to nearly 1,600 hectares.” Productive systems like this are increasingly threatened by the 'uberization' of the agricultural sector, which aims to homogenize production and de-seasonalize it.
This new and challenging 2021 campaign will be presented in the municipality of Hondon de las Nieves on September 2.
For more information:
Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Protegida Uva de Mesa Embolsada
del Vinalopó
Tel.: +34 965 60 48 59
[email protected]
www.uva-vinalopo.org
