With the arrival of May, the loquat becomes the first harbinger of the summer fruit season. This small orange fruit, with a slightly acidic taste and slippery seeds, is eagerly awaited by many consumers. After it, cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, and nectarines will soon follow, consolidating the start of the major fruit campaign.
“"It is a delicate fruit, harvested and packed by hand, which makes its price somewhat higher for the consumer."
A spokesperson for the fruit and vegetable wholesale sector highlights that the loquat is a niche product, with moderate domestic consumption, but with high demand for export to countries such as Italy, Greece, Switzerland, and Germany. Its delicacy in harvesting and manual packaging, to prevent any damage, contributes to a higher final price.
Historically, it was common to find one or two loquat trees in orchards, precisely because they are one of the first fruits to ripen and for their resistance to pests. In addition to domestic consumption, the tree served to pollinate other varieties, attracting bees and other beneficial insects.
Originally from China and Japan, its ease of germination and mutation has allowed for the emergence of varieties adaptable to different environments, facilitating its global expansion. In Spain, the main production area is in the Valencian Community, where localities like Callosa d'en Sarrià have achieved a Designation of Origin. The first fruits from Alicante have already reached the markets.
Rich in water, fiber, potassium, and vitamin A, this fruit has traditionally been used as a diuretic and anti-diarrheal. It is also an indicated supplement in weight loss diets due to its low caloric content and minimal contribution of proteins and carbohydrates.
