Artichokes are mostly consumed in the regions where they are produced and their adjacent territories. Therefore, "production areas need to stand together to be able to take over the Spanish territories where they are not cultivated," stated Antonio Galindo, president of the Artichoke Association of Spain during the 1st Sectorial Conference on Production and Consumption of this vegetable, held in Torre Pacheco, Murcia.
The event was also attended by Juan Martínez, representative of RGA-Agroseguros Central Caja Rural; Bartolome Ramírez, technical director of SAT Olé; Antonio Agar, commercial director of Caprichos Palate, and Joaquín Madrid, chef of the restaurant Rincón de Joaquín (San Cayetano). The event counted with the presence of the Councillor of Agriculture of Murcia, Adela Martínez-Cacho, and the president of Proexport, Juan Marín Bravo.
A regional product
Galindo insisted on the concept of proximity to add value to the artichokes grown in Spain. Thus, the president lamented that "80% of the canned produce comes from Peru."
In any case, and as revealed at the event, growers continue working to make it possible for artichokes to adapt to different soils and prevent them from losing their organoleptic properties.
Another point highlighted at the event was the importance of raising awareness among growers about the fact that the production of artichokes is really alive, which is precisely why Galindo believes that events like this one "are very positive to give visibility to this vegetable, which has been slightly forgotten, but which remains the queen of vegetables, because it enhances all flavours."
In this sense, Antonio Galindo has introduced the slogan "Conóceme" ("Learn about me"), stressing how "spend just an hour to learn more about artichokes can lead to great benefits for the body and a better quality of life."
