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
28 Jan 2025
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association's cherry session in Yakima in December saw several cherry experts discuss the difficult balance between counting pennies and ensuring high quality, profitable fruit.
30 Oct 2025
Current weather conditions with high humidity and rising temperatures are favoring the spread of Botrytis and Alternaria in cherry trees. INIA is developing early detection sensors and smart predictive platforms to protect fruit bound for export markets.
05 May 2026
In Fresno County, California, this week’s storm affected cherry and almond orchards, forcing growers to act quickly. Helicopters were used to dry cherry trees, while hail, wind and fungal disease risks are raising concern over crop quality and harvests this spring.
05 May 2026
World Fresh Exports is introducing the new Canadian Sansia and Safirah dark sweet cherry series to global markets, bred by AAFC in Summerland and designed to extend the season with premium size, flavour, firmness, consistency and strong shipping performance.
