The organic pomegranate production has increased by twenty percent in the area of Elche (Spain) it is in its second year of marketing.
This product has great demand in countries like Germany or the UK for the production of juices, nectars and jams.
The organic pomegranate production for this season will be of 500 tons (300 hundred of these of a mollar variety and 200 of wonderful). A figure that represents an increase of twenty percent compared with 2011.
The vice president of the Association of Pomegranates Producers and Distributors of Elche, Andrés Irles stressed that the industry has shown great interest in this organic production.
Ecological Pomegranates are part of a total production of 40,000 tons of mollar pomegranate, which are grown each year in the municipalities of Alicante in Elche, Crevillent, Catral and Albatera, whose harvest campaign starts next week.
Organic production is based on the absence of chemical and transgenic products, as well as the need to overcome one conversion period for ecological production techniques introduce three years before the first crop.
Due to this process, according to Irles, you get a totally natural product, although "trees have lower production and the appearance of the pomegranate is not as nice."
The pomegranate is the main crop field in Elche and 80% of its agriculture depends on this fruit.
In addition, about 88% of the national area that is cultivated in the province of Alicante, which accounts in terms of production for more than 90% in all of Spain.
The sector exports 70% of its production, mainly to European countries such as Germany, France, UK and Russia.
Source: ABC