Despite a rainy spring and a delayed start to the harvest, the Picota cherry season shows promise, with excellent quality and quantity prospects, according to the Agrupación de Cooperativas del Valle del Jerte.
Spain’s spring of 2025 was marked by mild temperatures and heavy rainfall, a combination that negatively impacted various fruit crops. For Picota cherries from the Jerte Valley—a renowned production area in Extremadura—the season started about two weeks late.
Nevertheless, according to the Agrupación de Cooperativas del Valle del Jerte, the current campaign is expected to yield a medium-to-high harvest, accompanied by an “extremely good” level of quality. This is encouraging news for local producers, who saw the early days of harvest affected by rain but escaped major damage from events like hailstorms.
The absence of severe weather events and the natural resilience of the variety have fostered optimism among industry players, who are preparing to present Picota cherries to the market with confidence. The fruit, which holds Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, is recognized for its authenticity and quality—attributes increasingly appreciated by both local and international consumers.
“We love all cherries, but we believe Picota cherries are the best for a healthy and tasty snack,” said Mónica Tierno Díaz, general director of the cooperative. One of the most distinctive traits of Picota cherries is their natural lack of a stem: “This makes them more resistant, as the stem attachment point is often where deterioration begins in common cherry varieties,” she added.
The season, which began in late May to early June, will continue until late July or early August. The United Kingdom remains the main export market for Picota cherries, followed by the Spanish domestic market. Demand is also growing in Scandinavian countries, where the fruit is still relatively unknown but gaining traction thanks to its unique characteristics.
The Agrupación de Cooperativas del Valle del Jerte has invested for years in promotional efforts in the UK, with targeted campaigns in retail stores, collaborations with media and themed recipe books, all aimed at educating consumers on the unique value of this cherry.
“In some markets, Picota cherries are still little known, so it's essential to explain what makes them special,” emphasized Tierno Díaz. “Fortunately, we’ve been working in the UK for over twenty years, and now both distributors and consumers recognize and appreciate their uniqueness.”
Source: fruitnet
Image source: Blog de Dia
11 Oct 2024
The group, which offers low-pressure chambers designed to extend freshness, stated that after six years of testing, it has overcome the challenges associated with cherry preservation, optimizing harvest timing and storage techniques.
28 Apr 2025
Protect cherry trees from bacterial canker caused by Pseudomonas syringae in Chile: discover chemical, biological, and preventive strategies for integrated and effective control. Boost yield, plant health, and fruit quality with sustainable, innovative solutions.
26 Dec 2025
In 2024, cherry consumption in the European Union reached 629,000 tonnes, marking a +4.5% increase on an annual basis and reaching its highest level in ten years. Production, imports and exports are also growing, with Italy and Spain among the leading countries.
25 Dec 2025
La Junta de Extremadura ha distribuito 904.540 euro nel secondo pagamento dell’aiuto straordinario 2024 per i cerasicoltori colpiti dal maltempo. La misura, parte del Decreto Legge 3/2025, prevede un’ultima tranche da un milione di euro in arrivo nei prossimi giorni.
