The pistachio sector in Catalonia, particularly in the Urgell region, is striving to establish itself as a profitable agricultural option. Producers and Unió de Pagesos organized a workshop in Verdú to highlight the potential of this crop and encourage farmers to consider it as a replacement for vineyards or sweet fruit, which have been affected by economic challenges.
Under the slogan "We want Catalans to buy pistachios from Lleida and not have to import them from America," the Grup de Productors de Pistatxos de Ponent (Ponent Pistachio Producers Group) emphasized the need to increase the visibility of local produce. Ramon Boleda, one of the initiators, explained that the termination of contracts with the Borges group marked a turning point, but it also revealed the existing market in Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, and Catalonia itself. Currently, around 700 hectares are planted in Lleida, with over 200 of them located in Urgell.
The event included visits to plantations owned by the Boleda family and Flavià Serret, where attendees gained practical knowledge of cultivation techniques. Subsequently, at the castle of Verdú, technical presentations were delivered covering the global outlook of the crop, irrigation introduction, processing, transformation, commercialization, and management.
Organizers announced upcoming initiatives to boost the sector, including a showcase of pistachio-based products later in the year. The development of pistachio cultivation in Urgell began over a decade ago with the support of the Borges group and the arrival of water from the Segarra-Garrigues canal, involving approximately 70 farmers who planted around 500 hectares. However, producers rescinded their contracts two years ago due to disagreements over pricing.
