Apple production in Catalonia is bucking the European trend. Whilst the continent is showing a 3% drop (with the exception of Poland), Catalonia and specifically Girona, are improving their productions.
Llorenç Frigola (chairman of the PGI Poma de Girona) states that “the good prospects that are being forecast for this campaign are the result of the continuous effort made by producers, technicians, etc., and where the members of the PGI Poma de Girona constantly show their concern about environmental sustainability, about the application of new irrigation techniques and about the energy efficiency of the centres or biological pest control, amongst many other aspects.”
The Regulating Council of the PGI Poma de Girona is made up of three companies: Giropoma Costa Brava SL, Frutícola Empordà SL and Girona Fruits SCCL. These companies market the varieties Golden, Gala, Granny Smith and Red Delicious under the PGI.
A new campaign. The start of the new campaign of the PGI Poma de Girona was celebrated with the harvesting of the first apple by the chef, Iolanda Bustos, from the restaurant La Caléndula (Regencós). Iolanda Bustos explained her culinary experience with the use of herbs and flowers from the region, as well as the particular characteristics of apple blossoms when cooking. She also emphasised the importance and value of the consumption of local produce, as well as the transmission of these and healthy eating values to children.
Llorenç Frigola and Joan Bonany (manager of the experimental station IRTA-Mas Badia) then explained the harvest forecasts that are expected for this campaign. In Girona, a production of 83,600 tonnes is expected, 6% more than in the 2015 campaign, with an important increase, mainly in Gala and Fuji production.
This trend is similar throughout Catalonia and a production of 308,720 tonnes is expected, which means an 11% increase compared to the previous year. Joan Bonany commented that the pollination campaign has been good, with good setting, and the spring has been cool and damp with an effective thinning that has given good sized fruit. Added to this, the summer has had high irradiation levels that will allow obtaining apples with a high sugar level.
On the other hand, Europe is expecting a 3% drop in production compared to 2015. This drop could be a sales opportunity for the producers from Girona, both nationally and internationally.
