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The chestnut symbolizes autumn and its colors. The Dordogne is the third producing department in France, behind the Ardèche and Corsica. The harvest is taking place at the moment, and looks very promising.
Denis Bourgin, chestnut producer in Varaignes (Dordogne), has been harvesting for three weeks. “When you see everything that is on the ground and how it is, very round, very shiny, well formed, without trace of worms… There, we are happy”, he confides. Unlike many other fruits, chestnuts have resisted and grown despite all kinds of weather hazards, in almost the entire department.
The Chamber of Agriculture in the Dordogne is betting on 30 to 40% better than a classic year. Denis reached his absolute record two weeks from the end of the harvest. It could go from 16 to 25 tons. After a calamitous year 2021, since the frost had ruined the crops, the family is breathing again. The pace promises to be intense, between direct sales and processing of part of the harvest. But Colette is smiling. “It is all the same the crowning achievement of all the work that has preceded since the orchard. Working on a beautiful product is really satisfying”she rejoices.