This week, Valencian pomegranates passed the baton to Mollar pomegranates, the most valued by customers because of its organoleptic qualities, especially its sweetness and aroma, which make it ideal both for fresh consumption and processing.
According to Andrés Irles, president of the Cambayas cooperative, from Elche, Spain, the Valencian pomegranate season has developed normally, with the great advantage of not having to compete against pomegranates from other origins, which are now starting to appear. "This week, the market is already starting to feel the entrance of Moroccan and Turkish pomegranates of the Wonderful variety."
The quality this year is good, although the weather has delayed its ripening by around 10 days. Additionally, even though expectations are always good for the entry into the market of Mollar pomegranates, "It has yet to be seen how competition will affect us, as this fruit's production has been rapidly growing over the past five years on a global scale. After all, it is a product that offers reasonably high returns," explains Andrés Irles.
The goal in the short term for Alicante's producers is to obtain a Protected Designation of Origin for the Mollar variety. Last Friday, the Valencian Council of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Water announced the main parameters that should regulate the production for the said PDO.
It is worth noting that pomegranate cultivation in the Region of Valencia represents about 95% of Spain's total, which corresponds to around 40,000 tonnes produced in a little over 2,100 hectares.
Mollar pomegranates reach all EU countries, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Russia, where 50% of the Spanish pomegranate production was shipped last season.
Moreover, given the increase in the demand for organics, Cambayas continues increasing its production of organic pomegranates under the brand BioCambayas, of which around 500 tonnes are already produced.
More information:
Andrés Irles Ibarra
CAMBAYAS COOP.V
T +34966637588
director@cambayas.com
www.cambayas.com