Farmers are clearly unhappy with the recent changes. The features of the Geographical Indication for Turrón de Jijona and Turrón de Alicante removed any reference to the origin of raw materials. La Unió Llauradora, a leading farming association involved in its preparation, fears this shift could open the door to increased use of almonds from other countries, complicating the public’s understanding of where the ingredients come from and what makes the product unique.
Paradoxically, current regulations already permit fruits from other latitudes. California, the world’s largest almond producer, is cited as an example. Yet the specification now points to varieties produced in the Community of Valencia, a change many see as a miswording that weakens the link between the product and its traditional region.
To counter this drift, La Unió has submitted opposition documents to the April 1 BOE publication. The aim is to preserve the reference to local production and at least the origin of raw materials, safeguarding the product’s regional identity.
“La Unió is aware of current regulations and does not directly recommend using almonds or honey from other countries. If such ingredients are used, they must be labelled with their origin to avoid consumer confusion,” the agricultural organization explains.
If a quality mark ties the product to its origin, as with the nougat of Jijona and Alicante, managers insist that the raw material should mainly come from the local area. If imported materials are used, the label should clearly indicate their origin, allowing consumers to decide between nougat that relies on local almonds and honey and versions made with ingredients from abroad.
Regarding almonds, the current IGP specifications for the Turrón focus on varieties found in regions with temperate Mediterranean climates that are connected to Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia. The organization explains that the proposed change would remove references to the Mediterranean region and the three Valencian provinces. La Unió contends that almonds used to make nougat and the related processing should come from production zones located in Alicante, Castellón, and Valencia, with clear regional distinctiveness preserved in the labeling.
There is a concern that the shift would erode the geographic ties between the raw materials, the production site, and the final nougat product. La Unió argues that removing these natural connections undermines the product’s originality and authenticity, making it harder for consumers to identify a truly regional item.
The organization notes this is not the first time the georeferencing of raw materials has been questioned. Since 2011 there have been several proposals aiming to redefine where the ingredients originate and how they are linked to the final product.
Almond crunch could push up nougat prices and affect holiday budgets
La Unió highlights the risk that weakening geographic guarantees may raise costs. If the market loses the explicit link between an ingredient and its origin, producers may face higher prices and greater variability in supply. This would have a direct impact on Christmas purchases when nougat is traditionally central to the holiday season. A stronger focus on local sourcing is seen as a stabilizing factor for both producers and consumers, ensuring consistency in flavor, quality, and trust.
In this situation, the association emphasizes the value of maintaining transparent relationships among the almond growers, the production facilities, and the finished nougat. The absence of clear regional ties could be interpreted as a step away from authenticity, potentially reducing consumer confidence and the perceived value of traditional regional products.
La Unió also stresses that preserving a geographic link helps protect the livelihoods of local farmers and small-scale artisans who rely on a stable regional identity to compete in a global market. The argument centers on the idea that terroir and local supply chains contribute to distinct product profiles that cannot be replicated easily with ingredients sourced far away.
Finally, the association reminds policymakers that the issue has broader implications. The way a product signals its origin can influence consumer choices, marketing strategies, and regional branding. By preserving the geolocation of the raw materials, the industry can maintain a clear narrative about provenance and craftsmanship, which many buyers value when selecting a premium nougat.