A sketch of the production of cherries in Spain

As we are facing the final stage of the winter and the fields are about to spring up, we,the team of Lady Godina believe that there is not better time than now to understand a little better how the Spanish cherries are grown. 

Maybe you have difficulties when it comes to figure out where and how cherries are grown in Spain. Even for many Spanish proffesionals from this sector there are wide knowledge gaps. No worries.

We are always trying to go ahead so we have done some technical research that -we hope!- could be a useful tool for your business.

 


According to the oficial data provided by the Spanish Ministry for Agriculture, in 2012 the cherry cultivation area in Spain was around 32.000 Ha. Two thirds of this area are rain-fed cultivations and the final third of the surface is irrigated.

As for the regional breakdown of the cultivated surface in Spain, Aragon is the leading region (34,9%), being follwed by Extremadura (29,7%) and Catalonia (10,8%). And looking at the graph below, we will also check out that Aragón has by far the largest irrigated surface of the total (11.175 Ha.).

Source: Encuesta sobre Superficies y Rendimientos Cultivos (ESYRCE). Encuesta de Marco de Áreas de España. Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente. Gobierno de España

If we look at the official figures available, we find out the average productivity of the Spanish cherry crops have ranged from 3.200 to 4.300 kg/ha. along the last decade. Whereas the average yield varies from year to year depending on the weather conditions and especially on the agrarian improvements carried out by the farmers.

For instance,  in 2012, almost 60 % of the plantations were low-density crops ( < 600 trees/ha.) and 30% of them were high-density crops (600-1200 trees/ha.). Very high density-crops meant only 2’5% of the total. 

At this point, Aragon is the region with the greatest percentage of high density crops (54%). In fact, when compared to the other regions, Aragon shows relevant differences: intensive cherry farming makes up 42%  in Catalonia and only 8% in Extremadura.