The Patagonian cherry will be the first PDO to make its debut in the sector on international markets

The Designation of Origin (DO) “Los Antiguos Valley Cherry – Patagonia” has completed a new phase with the validation of its Quality Management System, which will ensure traceability, compliance with production standards and product certification.

This work lays the foundations for the first export of cherries bearing the DO seal to take place next season.

The pilot project for implementing the Designation of Origin (DO) “Los Antiguos Valley Cherry – Patagonia” has been completed. The initiative aimed to introduce and validate a quality management system capable of ensuring product differentiation, traceability and standardization while strengthening its territorial identity, market competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

Thanks to the project, funded by the Government of the Province of Santa Cruz through the CFI, the documentary and operational framework of the Quality Management System (QMS) was developed, implemented and validated within the local context.

The system defines operating procedures that begin at the farms and continue through a traceability system covering the entire supply chain: from harvesting and the arrival of the fruit at the packing facilities through every processing stage and up to commercialization.

Quality management system

This phase, aimed at validating the proposal, involved ten farming families, two packing facilities and ten technicians from several organizations and institutions operating in the sector: the DO Regulatory Council, the Advisory Council, the Argentine Chamber of Integrated Cherry Producers (CAPCI), INTA, the Ministry of Production, Industry and Trade of Santa Cruz and the Provincial Agricultural Council.

INTA participated through AER Los Antiguos, coordinating the project and providing technical assistance with the implementation of the established traceability mechanisms, including checklists for farms and packing facilities.

It also provided support with the specific procedures before SAGyP concerning DO certification, the review of manuals and training activities.

The director of CAPCI, agronomist Aníbal Caminiti, emphasized that “it is important for the community of the Province of Santa Cruz to understand this process because it represents an unprecedented achievement for Argentina: the Los Antiguos cherry is the first fresh fruit in the country to obtain a Designation of Origin”.

Distinctive attributes and certification

The agronomist explained that “the Quality Management System takes into account the distinctive attributes of this fruit and safeguards them through a procedures manual. This makes it possible to verify that the parameters established for the Designation of Origin are effectively met and that consumers receive a certified product”.

The pilot trial

During the pilot trial, the team identified the critical points that needed to be addressed to refine the different procedures and consolidate a shared management system capable of applying consistent criteria despite the diversity of farms, growers and management practices.

For this purpose, the checklists were implemented at ten farms and the two participating packing facilities.

General training activities were also organized for farm and packing facility staff, as well as growers. These included information sessions and courses dedicated to the DO, its characteristics and the related implementation process.

Additional training activities focused on specific procedures and controls.

Pilot trial for exports

A pilot trial was also conducted to simulate the entire process, from the farm to the procedures required to export the product bearing the DO logo.

The objective was to identify any problems or difficulties that need to be resolved before the next season, when the first export bearing the Designation of Origin seal will officially take place.

These activities enabled a specialized consulting firm to develop the documentary and operational framework of the Quality Management System and define the technical profiles required for the team responsible for the QMS.

The project results will apply not only to the growers and technicians associated with the organization and the two packing companies to which they deliver their fruit, but also to other cherry growers and packing facilities in Los Antiguos that are interested in obtaining the DO seal and meet the requirements for its use.

Brand development and marketing

This first phase involved developing the necessary tools to ensure that the certified fruit meets all the quality requirements established by the relevant regulations.

The next phase will focus on developing the “Los Antiguos Valley Cherry – Patagonia DO” brand and implementing a marketing and positioning plan targeting the main markets where consumers place particular value on products with a strong geographical identity and certification of origin.

The Los Antiguos Cherry DO

Since 2017, Los Antiguos cherry growers have worked alongside the Province of Santa Cruz, the local municipal administration and INTA to obtain the first Designation of Origin dedicated to cherries in the country and the region, as well as the only one awarded exclusively to a product from the Province of Santa Cruz.

The Designation of Origin was officially recognized in April 2025, and the “Civil Association Council of the Los Antiguos Valley Cherry – Patagonia Designation of Origin” was established. The organization is responsible for ensuring compliance with the agricultural, harvesting, post-harvest and traceability practices required to produce this differentiated product.

Source: www.argentina.gob.ar 

Image source: ANDIGITAL

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