"This year, we expect a cherry campaign without overlaps"

"Fortunately, we have not been directly affected by the frosts, although in Lleida there are some farms where up to 40% of the crops have been affected by the low temperatures, mainly the early flowering varieties," says Francesc Pena, manager of SAT Bepa.

Since almost all the producing areas are starting late, no overlaps are expected this cherry campaign, contrary to what happened last year. "Tarragona will be the first to start harvesting, followed by Baix Segre and Bajo Cinca and later by Almunia and the Jerte Valley."

After a colder winter and wilder spring than is usual, the yields will be lower; therefore, there will be larger sizes and a higher quality. "This will be more noticeable in the stone fruit production." For many years now, many Catalan and Aragonese producers have chosen to work with large volumes. This year, the yields will fall significantly, and this will allow the trees to be under less pressure, which will translate into greater quality fruit, which is really good," states Francesc.

The Catalan company will see its production grow by 50%. "This year, 8 new hectares are becoming productive, so we will go from 16 to 24 hectares," says Francesc Pena. "We are also preparing farms for protected production in greenhouses and tunnels. The idea is to be able to harvest earlier and fill a small market gap between the campaigns of the southern and northern hemisphere. We expect the first harvests in two years."

"We are committed to the marketing of cherries ripened in the tree, so that they stand out in terms of flavour and sweetness. We are also implementing production methods under the Zero Waste certification, so that our consumers have access to a product as sustainable as possible," he says.

SAT Bepa focuses on destinations where the product can be delivered in no more than 8 days from the day of the harvest. For this reason, it ships mainly to Europe and Singapore or Hong Kong in Asia, provided the shipment is done by air. "In order to offer a really tasty fruit, we focus on nearby destinations. We sell mainly to traditional markets and to the Bon Preu chain of Catalan supermarkets, as well as some European supermarket chains through our distributors."