The 2022 chestnut harvest, which is currently starting in Ardèche, should be around 5,000 tonnes, including 2,000 tonnes of AOP chestnuts. The season was not off to a good start: too dry and too hot for the chestnut tree. But the rain that fell just before August 15 saved the harvest, says César Marze, castanéiculturist in Pranles and president of the Ardèche chestnut interprofessional committee.
Production fails to meet demand
The current production of Ardèche chestnuts is unable to meet the demand of local processors. According to the interprofessional chestnut committee of Ardèche, at least 1,500 tonnes more are needed. Processors are forced to resort to other varieties of chestnuts such as the hybrid variety whose taste quality is lower even if the chestnut is larger.
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The plan to reclaim the chestnut grove has made it possible to increase volumes
A plan to reclaim the Ardèche chestnut grove was put in place from 2017. This involves bringing back into cultivation the very numerous abandoned chestnut groves in the Ardèche. It is a very difficult job: you have to prune the trees that have not been maintained, clear the ground to be able to pick up the chestnuts, often in very steep places. The reconquest plan made it possible to increase production by 750 tonnes over 5 years.
The young generation of farmers turns more easily than before to this production which has become profitable in a few years. The price per kilo for the chestnut sent to the processor has risen from 0.75 to 1.30 euros.