With the Grenoble Walnut PDO facing a major crisis since 2022 (overproduction and sales at a loss in 2022, followed by a sharp drop in production in 2023), the Interprofessional Committee of the Grenoble Walnut (CING) intends to use its presence at the International Agricultural Show in Paris to meet thousands of visitors and encourage them to support the sector and its 700+ producers (in Isère, Drôme and Savoie). The PDO intends to develop its sales despite the low level of walnut consumption (0.5 kg per French person per year) and an imbalance between walnuts in shell, most of which are exported, and walnuts in kernel, most of which are imported.
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The sector is in a state of emergency
"For the time being, the French walnut sector is in a state of emergency," explains Arnaud Rivière, president of CING. "We have to face the vagaries of the weather and stiff competition from Chile and the United States, whose prices are very low. Despite this difficult context, we are more determined than ever to continue to work with respect for our terroirs, using practices that preserve the environment and our know-how." Grenoble walnut production represents a tiny fraction of the world market, around 5% by 2022, with 16,500 tons produced on family farms. "Our specifications allow us to work as closely as possible with our trees, nature, and the seasons," explains the president of CING, who is keen to find new outlets. The 5-year certification project for the Grenoble walnut kernels could provide a new way of promoting this fruit, which, since 1938, has only benefited from the designation when sold in shells.
The Grenoble Walnut PDO will be present at the International Agricultural Show at the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes booth (Hall 3) on February 24th and the Drôme booth (Hall 4) on March 2nd.
For more information:
CING
[email protected]
www.aoc-noixdegrenoble.com