Granada's cherry season has already passed its midpoint and the production and prices are meeting producer's expectations. The fruits have very high calibers and extraordinary quality, stated Antonio Ortega, president of the Maitena del Genil cooperative. "Nearly 80% of the cherries that arrive are of the 28-30 caliber, the largest size achieved in recent years," the head of this cooperative, which is associated with Agricultural Food Cooperatives of Granada, stated.
Maitena del Genil, which brings together about 60 small farmers, is located in Güéjar Sierra and, according to forecasts, will be producing cherries until the end of August. Most of its production is distributed in Andalusia and Spain. It also exports organic products to different parts of Europe.
This season, they expect to produce 300,000 kilos of cherries; a good volume after the disappointing volumes achieved in the last three campaigns, mainly due to the rains.
Despite these good prospects, Antonio Ortega asked the competent administrations to increase controls to avoid the irregular sale of cherries on the province's roads and hard shoulders. "These sales hurt us. We assume costs and comply with very demanding regulations on labeling, analysis, traceability, origin, and taxes... Farmers are free to market their product where they deem appropriate, but they must always comply with fiscal and health legislation," he stated.
"Health controls are fundamental to guarantee the health of consumers, and all of us who work in the sector must rigorously comply with them," he added. "We must comply with and enforce these controls," he stressed.
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