In the heart of the Jerte Valley, the cherry harvest is nearing its end with positive results: favorable weather, stable production, and a new addition to the PDO.
After two seasons marked by rain and hailstorms, the 2025 cherry campaign in the Jerte Valley concludes under a sign of normality. According to José Antonio Tierno, president of the Cereza del Jerte PDO Consortium and head of the Agrupación de Cooperativas del Valle del Jerte, the season benefited from favorable weather conditions, with no rainfall, which helped preserve the quality of the harvest.
"This campaign has been better than the previous ones," said Tierno, although he noted that high temperatures accelerated the ripening of some varieties. Currently, harvesting continues in the higher areas of the valley, with about 10–15 days remaining to complete the season.
Production estimates are around 7 million kilos of certified cherries and 3 million kilos of picotas with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Tierno acknowledged that results were "at the lower end of the expected range," but without extreme weather events, the harvest proceeded smoothly.
Among the varieties currently being harvested are picotas and Lapins, the latter entering the PDO officially for the first time. Although not native to the area, the Lapins variety has been grown in Jerte for over 40 years and was recognized by the Consortium for its historical and productive significance.
During a visit to the cooperatives in Valdastillas, the President of the Extremadura Assembly, Blanca Martín, and the President of the Cáceres Provincial Council, Miguel Ángel Morales, reaffirmed their support for the cherry sector, calling it strategic for the economy and the social cohesion of rural areas.
The regional parliament recently passed a decree-law to provide extraordinary aid to farms affected by natural events. The measure will now be converted into law through an urgent procedure. "I hope there will be consensus," said Martín, expressing hope for increasing attention to the sector.
Source text and image: revistamercados.com
16 May 2024
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