The cherry industry in Alicante is nearing a turning point after a long stretch of difficult seasons. Producers anticipate a solid campaign this year with an expected harvest surpassing four million kilograms, following a period of heavy losses. Flowering is progressing strongly despite limited rainfall and pollination challenges that have damaged past harvests, lifting hopes that this season could be markedly more productive. With a higher production volume and thousands of contracts anticipated, employment in the sector is also expected to rise as the campaign gains momentum.
Cherry crops, among the most weather sensitive agricultural goods, have suffered successive blows in recent runs. Rain can crack fruit at peak ripeness, while pollination problems caused by cold snaps or rain during flowering have also damaged yields. A storm that lingered for twenty days and hail during harvest last year forced many producers to absorb substantial losses, totaling more than seven million euros in that difficult period.
Yet this year brings renewed optimism. Hilario Calabuig, president of the Denomination of Origin Cerezas Montaña de Alicante, noted that victory is never guaranteed in this crop due to its dependence on many fluctuating factors. Still, current conditions look favorable, with ideal weather and flowering on track. He affirmed that the season could be strong if forecasts hold true.
Alberto Llorens, a technician at Cooperativa de Planes, shared the cautious optimism, pointing to favorable weather and noting that last year’s rainfall helped establish bee activity when it mattered. The main hope now is to avoid any adverse shifts that could derail the progress achieved so far.
The only constraint appears to be a slight delay in flowering. This delay is expected to be offset by the premium prices paid at the start of the campaign. Harvest activity is set to begin later than the Valle del Jerte production area, with activity likely starting around May 10. Even so, differences in timing are expected to be minor and throughput may exceed eight million euros, though precise forecasts remain risky in this stage of the cycle.
Recent rains and hail have shaped the timeline for cherries, yet the industry remains focused on turning the tide away from the losses of the previous campaigns. Observers stress that a successful harvest would provide a much needed breath of life for growers who faced downturns and disillusionment in recent seasons. Calabuig emphasized that people can become discouraged and may withdraw from farming if expectations are not managed and if intergenerational knowledge is not passed on. A positive outcome this year would help stabilize employment across harvest days and within cooperatives, both during peak season and in ongoing operations.
The main production area extends across l’Alcoià, El Comtat, Marina Alta, and Alto Vinalopó, spanning roughly 1,600 hectares. The cherries also contribute to a broader regional appeal, as the area’s floristry and landscape attract visitors and support hospitality businesses beyond the agricultural sector.
Asaja Alicante advances a program to foster generational renewal in farming
Asaja Alicante has revived an agricultural training course previously offered by the Ministry, a program not run for fifteen years. The aim is to stimulate intergenerational innovation at a moment when rising costs, water scarcity, and increasing inputs pose significant challenges to young people considering farming as a career. The training includes both in person and online components and will be delivered free of charge from Asaja’s base in Elche on May 2. Completing the 100 hours of instruction will open access to initial setup assistance proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture.