According to estimates, the production of the Herbon Pepper, which has a Denomination of Origin (PDO), has fallen by 14% this year to a total of 63,500 kilos, compared to the 73,800 kilos produced in 2015. Only 158,000 bags have been packed this campaign, which runs from May to October - 24,500 less than the 182,500 bagged last year.
The manager of the Agricultural Society of Transformation A Pementeira, which has the Galician Quality seal, Mar Bandín, stated that the quality had been good this campaign and that prices had rebounded by more than two euro per bag, when compared to 2015.
The decline in cultivation was due to the weather, which was very hot and there was little rain, he said, which stresses the plants so they produce less. The Agricultural Society of Transformation A Pementeira, produces about 90% of the protected, designation of origin, Herbon peppers, the rest come from small producers.
The situation was offset by slightly higher prices throughout the season. In 2015 there were very high production peaks that lowered prices, while in 2016 there was a greater stability and fewer oscillations, he said.
He also stated that they had to use more irrigation this season to preserve the quality of the product, which implies higher costs for producers.
2,000 kilos for jam
Last year, the Agrarian Society of Transformation A Pementeira, began to market a jam of Herbon peppers that has been very well received by the public.
According to Mar Bandin, producers allocated some 2,000 kilos of Herbon peppers this year to make jam.
"This allowed us to diversify production. When there are production peaks and surpluses we use them to make jam," he says. In addition, we are looking to promote this product outside Galicia to increase sales.
Intrusiveness and quality of the PDO
The manager of A Pementeira also spoke about a problem they often face: the sales of Padron peppers coming from other regions.
Mar Bandin asked consumers not to be fooled and to look at the product's label, so that they can identify the PDO logo on it and recognize the product's origin.
The Herbon pepper's PDO covers the local, Capsicum annuum Padron, variety. This pepper is produced in the municipalities of Padron, Dodro, and Rois, in the province of A Coruña; and in Pontecesures and Valga, in the province of Pontevedra.
The fruit is harvested green, partially ripe, to market it as fresh, and it can only be found in the market between May 1 and October 31. It has an elongated shape, with 3 or 4 cavities at the apex, and it has a diameter of 1.5 to 2 cm, and a slightly clear green smooth and shiny skin.
The commercial label must contain the Herbon Protected Denomination of Origin seal and explicitly state that it is of the Padron variety. Currently there are seven packaging companies, devoted to this pepper, registered in the Regulatory Council.
In addition, the A Pementeira company has had the Galicia Quality seal since 2012. This seal is a guarantee for users and consumers that the peppers have passed controls and quality standards. In addition it certifies that their Galician origin.
Source: Europa Press