Controversy Surrounding Xixona and Alicante Nougat: Valencian Farmers Protest Use of 'Imported' Almonds

Turrón from Xixona and Alicante, but with 'imported raw materials, primarily from the United States'. This is the complaint from La Unió Llauradora i Ramadera, lamenting the 'abandonment' of local almonds by the protected geographical indication (PGI) Turrón de Xixona and Alicante.

According to the organisation's statement, the agreement between the PGI Regulatory Council and the Spanish Association of Organic and Conventional Almond Producers (Aepaec) 'does not guarantee minimum prices or supply volumes for local almonds'. La Unió states that 'without origin labelling, minimum volumes, or fair prices, the agreement between the PGI and Aepaec is mere lip service and another example of 'greenwashing'.

In this regard, the association has claimed that, by not using this raw material, 'the major industrial nougat producers endorsed by the PGI have preferred ambiguous agreements that do not truly commit to protecting local almond production, leaving farmers aside', and their products may contain 'imported raw materials, primarily from the United States'.

'Paradoxically, these industries benefit from the promotion of the geographical indication of Xixona and Alicante, which evokes tradition and quality, but omit any guarantee that the almonds and honey used are of local origin,' the agricultural organisation added.

La Unió highlighted that 'consumers have the right to know if the almonds or honey come from the Valencian Community or, if not, are imported': 'Without this transparency, consumers are misled, and the essence of the product is distorted.'

La Unió has detailed that the changes in the PGI's conditions 'removed any reference to the origin of raw materials'. In this regard, they claim to have alerted the Department of Agriculture, 'which refused to address' the complaint.

In this scenario, the organisation urges the Department to promote the creation of a specific quality brand for Valencian almonds, allowing consumers to be assured they are purchasing a local product. 'It would be a tool to revalue local almonds in the markets and differentiate them from imported products that do not meet the same quality or sustainability standards,' they argue.

La Unió also proposes that 'only those nougat manufacturers who certify the use of Valencian almonds should receive aid from the Valencian Government, to encourage small artisan companies that do support the Valencian economy and generate employment in rural areas.'

In this regard, the agricultural entity has detailed that the PGI Jijona and Alicante Nougat Regulatory Council received €97,914.58 this year, which Agriculture grants to the management bodies of quality figures. Of this amount, €12,796.13 'has been allocated to cover part of their promotion and information activities costs'. The rest has been used to 'cover control and certification costs, without guaranteeing the use of Valencian raw materials'.

Thus, the organisation believes that the Minister of Agriculture, Miguel Barrachina, 'should cut off Valencian public aid to those who benefit from an origin without using the raw materials of Valencian farmers and beekeepers'.

For the upcoming Christmas, La Unió recommends consumers 'choose nougats from artisan producers', whether or not they are within the PGI Turrón de Xixona and Turrón de Alicante. 'Lacking the capacity to import raw materials, they depend exclusively on Valencian and Spanish farmers, which generates a direct and positive impact on the rural economy,' they state.

The organisation calls on the President of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, and Minister Barrachina, for 'active support' for Valencian production to 'promote the use of Valencian almonds in products covered by the PGI Turrón de Xixona and Alicante'.

'They must demand transparency in labelling to inform consumers about the origin of the raw materials used and, finally, withdraw public aid to the PGI Regulatory Council while a priority use of local almonds and honey is not guaranteed. It is time for Valencian authorities to defend our farmers,' concluded La Unió.