Farmers in Baix Segre have begun to harvest, between the end of April and the beginning of May, the first apricots of the campaign. A farmer from Seròs, Oriol Teixidó, explained that the production and quality of the fruits varies depending on the variety and the farm, but, in general, it is “normal to good.” Thus, he plans to collect the same kilos or a little more than last year.
On the other hand, meteorological factors have prevented last season's cherry production from being maintained this year, said Teixidó, who also grows cherry trees.
The recent rains have broken the skin of the earliest varieties. However, the farmer is confident that a "good" campaign can be had with the cherry varieties that have avoided the rain, as long as "the weather respects us."
Teixidó has indicated that now we will have to be attentive to market prices, which for now are “favorable”, although he warns that production costs have “skyrocketed” due to the increase in salaries, raw materials, gasoline, among others. Furthermore, weather phenomena will determine the success, or not, of the campaign, which in its case will last until the end of August.
On the other hand, Teixidó explained that last year all the cherry varieties he cultivated presented a very high production, almost “unprecedented”.
On the other hand, this year the number of cherries that will be produced in the area will be -generally- much lower.
Likewise, the rains that have fallen in recent weeks, when the cherry was about to be harvested, have caused the dreaded cracking - breaking of the skin - in many of the earliest and water-sensitive varieties, which affects its marketing.
“We have had big problems with this. However, the rest of the varieties have come out after the rainy episode, they are not affected in any way and are more resistant to water. From now on we hope that the fruits are of good quality and that the weather respects us so that we can have a good campaign,” concluded Teixidó.
