The artichoke season kicked off in mid-October in Benicarlo, in the Spanish province of Castellon, although the first batches under the label of the PDO Alcachofa de Benicarló won't hit the market until mid-November. Although the artichoke acreage has remained stable, the Green Queen variety continues to gain ground to the detriment of the traditional white variety from Tudela.
"Since the start of the season in mid-October, our supply has remained stable thanks to the fact that we've had no adverse meteorological phenomena. Everything is going according to plan and prices are still high, and we hope they'll remain stable until the second week of December, when the supply tends to increase," says Carlos Miravet, sales manager for vegetables at the Benihort cooperative, based in Benicarló.
"The drop in temperatures over the last few days will help improve the quality of the production, as well as boost consumption," he says.
The acreage devoted to artichoke cultivation in the area has stabilized, although according to Miravet, the hybrid variety Green Queen continues to gain ground. "Last season, around 50% of the artichokes we produced were Blanca de Tudela, while the other half was Green Queen. Now, this hybrid variety has become the most widely planted."
"Although its plants cost twice as much as those of the Blanca de Tudela, practically the entire production is of first-class quality, and optimum quality is obtained much earlier."
"Also, while the Blanca de Tudela requires land rotation after the third year to keep it productive, this isn't necessary with the Green Queen variety," he says. "As far as flavor is concerned, if we eat them combined with other foods, it's impossible to tell any difference; however, when eaten alone, the Blanca de Tudela is tastier," says Miravet.
Artichoke is, without a doubt, the cooperative's most emblematic product. It is supplied to the main wholesale markets in Spain, as well as supermarket chains, which prefer the Green Queen variety because of its longer shelf life. To a lesser extent, they also export to France, Italy, and Portugal.
For more information:
Carlos Miravet Sabaté
Benihort Hortalizas
Pol. Ind. El Collet, Parc. 301-305
12580 Benicarló, Castellón. Spain
Tel.: +34 680 48 78 99
[email protected]
www.benihort.com
