Bulk of Spain’s cherry sector forms new group

Spain’s main cherry production, processing and marketing companies – representing about 70% of Spanish cherry production – have formed a new association.

The ‘Mesa sectorial de la Cereza’ (a sector working group) has been set up to meet the need for a forum for communication between the different growing areas, a way for them to share knowledge and, ultimately, to strengthen the sector and provide the means to protect their common interests.

The association draws its members from 8 Spanish autonomous regions: Extremadura, Aragon, Catalonia, Valenciana, Castilla y Leon, Andalusia, La Rioja and Murcia.

In a press release marking the March 7 signing of an agreement establishing the ground rules for the association, the members said the signing symbolised the start of a series of steps considered urgent and of joint concern. Its next move will be to seek a meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness in order to present the various concerns and plans related to issues such as cherry cultivation and export protocols.