It's official: the Lari cherry has been granted IGP status (Protected Geographical Indication), becoming the 16th IGP in Tuscany and the 32nd combined PDO and IGP in the region. This designation is confirmed in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Tuscany maintains its position as a leader in Italy for the number of PDO and IGP labels for wine and food. This long-awaited recognition highlights the excellence of the Pisa territory. The 'Ciliegia di Lari IGP' is now the 146th Italian IGP in the food sector and the 324th among all agricultural geographical indications in Italy.
Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscany Region, celebrated this achievement: "This is a triumph for Tuscany’s agri-food production and a well-deserved acknowledgment for this special fruit, which is the most anticipated of our spring crops and relatively early in the national landscape."
This recognition is owed to the dedication of the Lari Cherry Producers' Association, which includes many youth-led farms, and has been supported by the Region over the years. This opens a future of quality and new employment prospects, thanks to a production historically centered in the hills between Lari and Casciana Terme, now united into a single municipality."
The journey to obtain the IGP certification, which ensures origin and quality, was significantly influenced by the efforts of Tuscany's farmers, according to Stefania Saccardi, Vice President and Agriculture Assessor: "The production guidelines include a wide variety of cherries with a strong focus on biodiversity."
"The producers have incorporated older, more fragrant and aromatic varieties alongside more commercially common types, despite their delicacy. This recognition honors our territories' commitment to a cultivation that is now rare elsewhere but was once more widespread in the Lari and Casciana Terme area."
Regional Assessor Alessandra Nardini expressed her delight: "This is fantastic news, rewarding the hard work of the Lari Cherry Producers' Association, the Lari Cherry Committee, and successive municipal administrations. The Region has supported this initiative from the start."
"Today is a day of pride and new opportunities for our territory, which reaffirms its excellence in agri-food production. This new recognition also opens further avenues for tourism and economic development."
To download the Production Specification Document click here
Source: Pisa Today
Image: SL Fruit Service
31 Jan 2024
Joy Wing Mau, a leader in the fruit industry, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Maersk Group, a shipping giant, to improve and lead cooperation in the development of logistics for fruit trade between China and Chile.
22 Aug 2024
A survey of 384 adults found that consumers increasingly prioritise local produce. Consumers believe that local produce is fresher, tastier and of higher quality than fruit that is transported and stored for long periods.
10 Apr 2026
The first Spanish greenhouse cherries reach the European market with very limited volumes and prices up to €80/kg. Strong demand from the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the UK, while the open-field season may start later than usual, impacting exports.
10 Apr 2026
A study on 22 sweet cherry cultivars in Zaragoza examines how warmer winters affect dormancy and flowering. Declining winter chill alters phenology and threatens yield, varietal adaptation and long-term sustainability in Mediterranean growing regions.
