Season of the Granada Mollar de Elche, the only one in the world with Denomination of Origin, inaugurated

The Valencian chef from the restaurant La Salita, Begoña Rodrigo, best vegetable cook in Europe and second in the world and who has a Michelin star and 3 Repsol suns, was in charge of officially inaugurating the campaign of the Granada Mollar de Elche.

The event, held on a farm in the Elche district of Las Bayas, was attended by numerous local, provincial, and regional authorities along with a large group of representatives from civil society and agricultural groups as well as the Elche chef Susi Díaz (1 Michelin star) and the best pastry chef in the world, Paco Torreblanca, who wanted to support the godmother of the 2024/2025 campaign.

Rodrigo stated that "it is an honor to be the godmother of the Granada Mollar de Elche and to come hand in hand with Susi Díaz." "I am a strong advocate for vegetables and I am going to try to make vinegars from pomegranate. We as high gastronomy restaurateurs have the responsibility and means to make people value these types of products and pay for them so, on our part, we are going to do that and I hope their qualities are disseminated and their problems solved," she emphasized.

For his part, the president of the Protected Designation of Origin of Granada Mollar de Elche, Francisco Oliva, pointed out that around 60% less production is expected due to the effects of climate change and the thrips plague but assured that "the Granada Mollar de Elche that reaches the shelves will be in good condition with those unique qualities that our pomegranate has and that make it stand out."

In this regard, he pointed out that Granada Mollar de Elche is the Queen of all pomegranates because it is the only one in the world with Protected Designation of Origin and has characteristics that make it special such as its sweet taste, because its grain is very juicy having such a soft and edible seed and also stands out for its particular exterior color as it is not as red as other varieties."

All these properties that Granada Mollar de Elche has, continues the president of DOP, "make this variety the most awaited on the market and preferred by consumers, fruit shops, large surfaces and professionals in the sector."

Regarding this year's campaign, Oliva specified that "we are facing an adverse situation but fortunately having a Denomination of Origin allows us to have more strength, tools, unity and capacity to ask for help and seek solutions" such as the recent meeting with Agriculture Minister Miguel Barrachina and Elche Mayor Pablo Ruz.

"No one defends Granada Mollar de Elche more than we do. We have given this variety the prestige it deserves; we travel national markets to make its qualities known; we carry the name of Elche and our pomegranate around the world; we launch promotional campaigns that have been awarded for their success; we have support from great chefs; and we leave no stone unturned to proudly say that in this land grows the best pomegranate in the world."

In his speech, Elche Mayor Pablo Ruz said that from the municipal government "we are fully committed to you without reservations; we believe in the primary sector, in agriculture."

"Elche is one of Spain's main engines of the primary sector and we are all here to support and mitigate consequences derived from thrips and demonstrate government commitment to primary sector. Without agriculture, Elche's countryside dies; without water, without trees from agricultural farms and without intensive agriculture, Elche's countryside is dead. We are clear about this; hence absolute firm support for all those who make these types of products a reality."

For her part, Sabina Goretti, General Director of Water and Rural Development at Generalitat Valenciana showed Consell's support for sector. "The Ministry of Agriculture provides sector with tools to solve problems; demands Ministry use phytosanitary products to eradicate one problem; continues demanding water due."

Alicante Deputy Vice President Ana Serna said "administrations must support sector especially during difficult times due decreased production. It has been a tough year; it's time to pull together so all administrations join forces now more than ever supporting products like Granada Mollar de Elche which bind territory making province fantastic north-south."

The geographical area covered by DOP includes 40 municipalities from L'Alacantí Baix Vinalopó Vega Baja which are main European producers of pomegranates.

Mollar de Elche characterized by sweet taste very soft edible seed exterior color ranges from cream intense red commercial season starts early October.

The Granada Mollar de Elche campaign generates over 3 000 direct jobs thousand indirect jobs. Around 500 farmers registered with Regulatory Council from DOP areas estimated 3 000 hectares dedicated pomegranates thousand part DOP.