Historic recognition for producers in Patagonia: Los Antiguos cherries receive the Designation of Origin, strengthening their identity and market protection.
April 9, 2025 marks a milestone date for Argentina's agri-food sector: the Designation of Origin (DO) "Cereza del Valle de Los Antiguos – Patagonia" was officially announced through its publication in the Boletín Oficial. A major achievement that celebrates an excellent fruit production, result of over ten years of collaborative work between local producers, public institutions and INTA (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria).
The DO is not just a formal protection, but a true quality label that sets apart cherries grown in the stunning natural surroundings of Los Antiguos, in the province of Santa Cruz.
As stated in the official resolution, the Asociación Civil Consejo de la Denominación de Origen complied with all technical and legal requirements, with support from the Dirección Nacional de Alimentos y Desarrollo Regional and the provincial government.
INTA played a key role, through its local Rural Extension Agency, conducting fruit characterization studies that defined the distinctive traits making these cherries unique on both national and international markets.
“Los Antiguos cherries already enjoy a solid global reputation. Recognition through a DO reinforces and protects the product from imitations,” said Dr. Liliana San Martino, one of the project leaders at INTA.
The DO is not just a prestigious origin label, but comes with tangible economic and legal benefits. Among them, an export bonus of 0.5% (about 0.5% economic incentive) and an official mechanism to safeguard the origin.
Until now, many operators have wrongly labeled cherries as "from Los Antiguos", but with the new certification, the designation will be legally protected.
Moreover, the DO formally acknowledges the link between product and territory, rewarding a sustainable, traditional and highly local farming style.
It’s no coincidence that Los Antiguos is known as the National Cherry Capital, host since the 1980s of the Fiesta Nacional de la Cereza, and boasts over 50 years of cherry-growing history.
The recognition process began in 2011, through collaboration between INTA and the Municipality of Los Antiguos, during training days on origin certifications.
In 2017, local interest was reinforced by joining the “Cerezas Sello Argentino” program. Key economic players such as Cooperativa El Oasis and Southerncrops by Río Alara also played a vital role by asking INTA to lead the entire application process.
The initiative engaged a broad institutional network: from the municipality to SENASA, from the provincial ministry to the Chamber of Productive Activity (CAP), all united in promoting a production that combines innovation, tradition, and sustainability.
The DO "Cereza del Valle de Los Antiguos – Patagonia", formalized upon recommendation from the National Commission on Geographical Indications, stands as a replicable model even in Europe, where Italy boasts numerous fruit PDOs (like Vignola or Marostica cherries).
This new Argentine label aims to boost the global competitiveness of Patagonian cherries, reinforcing the territory's role as a benchmark for fruit quality in South America.
Source: argentina.gob.ar
Image source: argentina.gob.ar
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