The Cherry Committee of the Spanish Federation of Associations of Producers and Exporters of Fruits, Vegetables, Flowers and Live Plants (FEPEX) has announced a slight delay, between 7 and 10 days, in the start of this year's cherry harvest season. During the meeting, attended by representatives from the country's main production areas, it was highlighted that Extremadura will be the first region to begin harvesting, with the estimated start time being between May 10 and 15.
This delay will affect other important producing areas such as Aragon, Catalonia and Alicante, according to reports Miguel Angel Gomez, manager of Afruex, during the meeting. Despite this initial setback, forecasts point to a campaign with normal volumes and good-sized fruit.
On a more optimistic note, the FEPEX Committee significantly valued the Recent opening of the Chinese market to the export of Spanish cherriesThis progress was achieved after the signing of a new protocol between the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, louis planes, and the Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, Sun Meijun, within the framework of the official visit of the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, to China during the second week of April.
The signing of this protocol will significantly streamline the access of Spanish cherries to the Asian giant, opening up new and promising export opportunities for a constantly growing sector. To begin exporting, interested parties must register in a special registry that will be opened soon. Department of agriculture and pass a compliance audit scheduled for the end of May.
The 2024 data reflect the importance of the cherry sector in Spain, with an export volume of 39.968 tonnes and a value of 139 million euros. While the European Union It stands as the main destination (33.440 tonnes), outside the EU, United Kingdom leads the purchases (5.725 tons), followed by South Africa and Hong KongThe opening of the Chinese market now presents a new horizon for diversifying destinations and further boosting Spanish exports of this prized fruit.
The FEPEX Cherry Committee meeting, held in a hybrid format and chaired by José Antonio Tierno, president of the Jerte Valley Cooperative Association, was attended by companies and representatives of associations from the main production areas: Extremadura (AFRUEX), Catalonia (AFRUCAT), Aragon (AEAMDE), and Alicante (FEXPHAL), as well as representatives from FEPEX. The committee also includes the associations Arifrut (La Rioja), Apep, and Excofrut (Aragon).
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