The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Berenjena de Almagro (Almagro aubergine) has closed this year's campaign with a total production of 1,582,000 million kilos, which is 9.2 percent more than last year, when about 1.4 million kilos were harvested, according to data provided by the PGI.
Excessive heat at the start of the season, in the months of July and August, together with cold temperatures in the final days, resulted in an "atypical" harvest, with a prospect of a lower production; given this situation, producers and processors decided to extend the campaign until mid-October; that is, about 15 days, in order to be able to offset the decline; a decision that has resulted in the production peaking at a higher level than in the previous year. An upward trend, says the manager of the PGI, Ángel Castro, which has been recorded over the last two years mainly due to the growing demand and the "good" quality of the product supplied, despite the appearance of caterpillars in some areas, where "the issue was quickly brought under control with specific treatments. The quality of the raw material has been really good, as the intense heat has positively affected the product," added Castro.
This season, a total of 49 hectares have been cultivated; a 22.3 percent increase compared with the year 2014. There has also been a 5.3% growth in the number of families cultivating this crop, which now stands at 38. As for prices, Castro claims that they have remain stable compared to the previous campaign, reaching an average of 0.51 Euro, although "some are already obtaining higher prices, so the average has actually increased a little more, since prices are set depending on both quality and demand."
Almagro, Bolaños de Calatrava, Aldea del Rey, Calzada de Calatrava, Valenzuela, Viso del Marqués and Granátula are the municipalities that form the territory where the authentic "Almagro" aubergines can be grown in Campo de Calatrava. Of the total annual production, more than 50% corresponds to Aldea del Rey and 20% to Calzada de Calatrava. It should also be noted that 95 percent of the production is consumed in Spain, although the aubergine is also shipped to destinations such as Canada or even China, "where consumption is merely symbolic," argues the PGI manager himself, Ángel Castro.
Results and future
Now, when we are a month away of saying goodbye to 2015, the manager of the Protected Geographical Indication Berenjena de Almagro takes stock of the results achieved over the past months, during which the dissemination and promotion of the aubergine has been one of the main challenges. Thus, with this objective in sight, they have launched different projects, such as the inclusion of Braille on promotional products for this aubergine which, according to Castro, is in "due course to becoming nationally renowned," as these lines of promotion "have sparked the interest from many big caterers, who have chosen to incorporate the aubergine into their recipes."
It has been a season in which "all goals planned earlier in the year have been fulfilled." The final challenge, which remains to be carried out on 9 December in Madrid, will be to showcase the qualities and characteristics of this product with a tasting. The important thing is "for the crop to be sold and for demand to increase," stresses Castro, who highlights initiatives such as the first exhibition devoted to aubergines, which has taken place this year in Almagro and which is intended to continue in the coming years.
Source: latribunadeciudadreal.es
