Last week, the fig harvest started in the area where the Segre and Cinca rivers meet in Lleida; an area with a tradition in cherry cultivation. "Last year, we harvested our first fig production with very satisfactory results. We are excited to start our second campaign and to keep growing with this product," explains Francesc Pena, manager of Olimpfruit.
The Catalan company cultivates the Cuello de Dama variety, which is mainly intended for the domestic market and, to a lesser extent, for their export to France and Belgium.
"I think it is the best variety in terms of taste and aroma; so much so, that French and Belgian importers of Moroccan origin are increasingly importing this type of fig, which is similar to the one grown in Morocco. In Germany, they prefer Turkish varieties, like the Bursa, since its main consumers are immigrants from Turkey and it is impossible for us to compete. Meanwhile, it seems that the United Kingdom increasingly prefers the Spanish Cuello de Dama fig over the Turkish ones," says the producer. "The fact is that, unlike the Bursa, the Cuello de Dama can be harvested greener without its flavour being affected, and therefore, it has a longer shelf life, while the Bursa must be harvested at its optimum point of ripeness and its shelf life is shorter," he adds.
According to Francesc Pena, although the Baix Segre is not considered an area with a tradition in fig cultivation, "there used to be a strong industry in the 60's dedicated to the drying of figs near here, in Fraga. In other areas of Lleida, such as Alguaire, the production of fresh figs of the variety Cuello de Dama has become very important in the last four years."
"We want it to be a flagship crop for us in the future, just like cherries. We plan to reach 300,000 kilos per campaign in the first three years of production, and we will not grow anymore after that because a lot of labour is needed, and we are committed to having the same staff all year round, so that they can participate in our long-term projects."
The company will continue selling this fig until the end of October, as this self-fertile variety continues to flower until then, while the temperatures are warm.
For more information:
Francesc Pena
SAT BEPA
Les Eres, 19. Seròs. Lleida. Spain
T: +34 973780064
M:+34 626493104
francesc@olimpfruit.com
www.olimpruit.com