Roussillon apricot is to receive AOC (appellation d'origin controlée) labelling. French apricot producers started a campaign for the label fourteen years ago.
'Red Apricots of Roussillon' covers all the varieties of red Roussillon apricots.
It represents around 50% of the Pyrénées-Orientales production - 6,000 tons with a 12,000 ton potential.
It applies to traditionally farmed land as well as organically farmed land.
Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) is a French system of laws and rules devised in 1935 to regulate French agricultural production and quality, and define its origins.
AOC translates as 'controlled designation of origin'.
The French certification is granted to certain French grographical indications for wines, cheeses, butters and other products.
It is governed by the government office Institut National De L'origine Et De La Qualité (INAO).
'Whilst other departments make great volume, here it is about underlining the quality and preservation of a region and a know-how,' said Eric Hostalnou from the Pyrénées-Orienales Chamber of Agriculture.
