Spain wants to compete with Russia and China in the pine nut market

Published 2021년 10월 26일

Tridge summary

Spanish scientists have identified the 'royal' pine nut as being unique to the Iberian Peninsula and have highlighted its superior nutritional value compared to pine nuts from other pine species. The Iberian Peninsula has seen a decline in pine nut production due to climate change, droughts, and pest infestations, leading to the commercialization of pine nuts from other species. However, grafting techniques and the use of different rootstocks have shown promise in increasing production. A study found that grafting stone pine on Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinea rootstocks can yield around 6,000 kg per hectare, three times the yield of ungrafted trees. The chemical content of the nuts varies depending on the rootstock, with higher levels of omega-6 acids in the Pinus halepensis nuts.

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Original content

Spanish scientists argue that the "royal" pine nut can be obtained only from the territory of the Iberian Peninsula, and not from Russia and China. For the best production of pine nuts in Spain, the pine giant was grafted “The cedar pine (Pinus pinea L.) is widespread in the Iberian Peninsula. - Writing by experts from the Institute of Agri-Food Research and Technology (IRTA), Spain, in an article on the MDPI portal. - This autochthonous southern European species shows a narrow genetic diversity due to its residual survival in the Iberian Peninsula after the last glaciation. However, it is endowed with great phenotypic plasticity, which allowed its current distribution in areas well differentiated by climate. Cedar nuts have been highly prized since ancient times and are currently one of the most expensive nuts on the world market with a stable price of 65 € / kg, according to the nut industry. Traditionally, cones are harvested from forest trees. Moreover, in recent years, the ...

Source: Agroxxi