Picota del Jerte: excellent start, but watch out for fraud in the market

20 Jun 2024
2025

The campaign of Picota cherries from Jerte has started positively in the north of the Spanish province of Caceres, "with good volumes and high quality", says Fátima López-Santamaría, a technician from DOP Cereza del Jerte. "We had a couple of days of rain that might have caused some losses.

An evaluation has not yet been made to quantify the affected volume; however, for now, these losses seem to be insignificant. In fact, the impact has been more evident in other intermediate varieties of cherries than in the late Ambrunés varieties, which are the Picotas from Jerte covered by the DOP Cereza del Jerte".

Producers from Extremadura still remember last year's campaign, in which, unfortunately, the rains had a decisive impact. "For this reason, we hope that the losses are minimal and not noteworthy", he says. "Especially this year, in which the quality of Jerte Picota cherries is extraordinary".

The Picota del Jerte is a variety of cherry originating from the Jerte Valley, where it has been traditionally cultivated among mountains over 1,000 meters in altitude since the 17th century, as stated by the DOP.

"It is essential to remember that the harvesting of Picota cherries, highly demanded in both the domestic and export markets, begins in mid-June, because one of the most significant problems that the DOP faces every year is the commercialization of regular cherries with the stalk removed to pass them off as Picota cherries, illegally using the DOP brand for fruits that are neither an authentic Picota cherry nor certified or authorized by the DOP Regulatory Council".

Read the full article: FreshPlaza
Image: Financial Food


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

The expert reports - Correct cherry orchard management during blooming ensures high setting rates and yields

Tech management

12 Nov 2024

In the 2024/25 season, we are observing much higher fertility than seen from 2018 to 2023, which may lead to an abundant bloom. This is compounded by the fact that the potential size or caliber of the fruit is limited from the outset due to the increased number of flowers on the

From the Jerte Valley to Ferrero: Spanish cherries inside Mon Chéri

Specialties

17 Jul 2025

For over thirty years, Spanish company Espagry Ibérica has been supplying cherries for Ferrero’s Mon Chéri. From Jerte Valley orchards to alcohol processing and packaging, a quality-driven supply chain focused on export, innovation, and natural cherry-based products.

In evidenza

New technology for the accurate identification of the agent responsible for bacterial cancer in cherry trees

Crop protection

11 Mar 2026

A study from Chile validates an absolute qPCR assay targeting the syrB gene to quantify Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae in sweet cherry tissues. The method improves detection of bacterial canker compared with culture techniques and supports more precise disease management.

Chilean cherries crisis as oversupply pushes prices down in China

Markets

11 Mar 2026

Chile’s cherry sector is facing a turning point after years of expansion. Rising production and a surplus of fruit in the Chinese market are putting strong pressure on prices, forcing growers and exporters to adapt to a more competitive and less profitable environment.

Tag Popolari