The national decision to register "Cereja de Alfândega da Fé" as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) was published yesterday, 10 February, in the Diário da República (Official Gazette).
This represents a key milestone in the process of enhancing and officially recognizing one of the most emblematic products of the Northeast of Trás-os-Montes.
This decision, for now, grants national protection, safeguarding the designation within Portuguese territory and strengthening its defense against misuse of the name.
The designation "Cereja de Alfândega da Fé" is legally protected and may only be used by producers within the defined geographical area who comply with the relevant product specifications.
The process now moves to the European Commission for evaluation, a necessary step to obtain final recognition as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
The application was promoted by the Cooperativa Agricola Alfândega da Fé, with the support of the Municipality of Alfândega da Fé, reflecting technical and institutional work carried out over several years.
The objective is to formalize the historical, geographical and qualitative link between the cherries and the production area of the "Cereja de Alfândega da Fé" (Alfândega da Fé Cherry).
The "Cereja de Alfândega da Fé" (Alfândega da Fé Cherry) stands out for its unique organoleptic characteristics, resulting from the region’s climatic conditions and the know-how accumulated by generations of local growers.
Cherry production plays a significant role in the municipality’s economy and represents a widely recognized symbol of local identity, celebrated every year during the Festa da Cereja&co (Cherry Festival).
The decision now published represents a formal national recognition of the product’s unique character and reputation, strengthening its market value and creating new opportunities for promotion and differentiation.
For producers and the region, this is a particularly significant moment, reinforcing the path toward PGI certification of the "Cereja de Alfândega da Fé".
For more information: https://www.cm-alfandegadafe.pt/pages/1075
Source: Municipality of Alfândega da Fé
Image credit: Stefano Lugli
Tech management Post-harvest Press review Varieties
25 Sep 2023
Is a solution possible? The expert is optimistic and has already taken an important step by defining that one of the important variables affecting post-harvest sensitivity is maturity and therefore its monitoring. But this is not the only challenge.
03 Jul 2024
The Laimburg research institute has launched the INSTINCT project, a pioneering initiative in the field of precision agriculture. INSTINCT focuses on the use of advanced technologies to optimise crop management and improve agricultural practices.
14 Jul 2026
A study assesses walnut and hazelnut water pollen extracts as natural alternatives to IBA in the micropropagation of CAB-6P and Gisela 6 cherry rootstocks, highlighting effects on rooting, shoot growth, chlorophyll, carbohydrates and in vitro plant quality and vigor.
14 Jul 2026
A field study in Prosser, Washington, examines how horticulturists, growers and pruners choose where to cut cherry and apple trees, turning expert intuition into explicit rules for automated dormant pruning, crop-load management and more consistent orchard decisions.
