CHESTNUT IN SPAIN, FROM NUT AND TIMBER PRODUCTION TO INDUSTRY

Abstract

Chestnut tree in Spain not only produces nuts and timber, but it is also part of the landscape and Spanish heritage. Chestnut is present in 169,572 ha, but only in 27,511 ha were orchards in 2006 (www.mma.es). Commercialised nut production is about 20,000 t according to the FAO while the Spanish Government estimates 59,907 t (www.mma.es). Main producing areas are, in decreasing order, Galicia, Castilla-Leon (El Bierzo), Central Spain (Salamanca, Caceres and Avila), Andalucia and Canary Islands (Tenerife, La Palma, Gomera and El Hierro). Timber production is important in Northern Spain (Asturias and Galicia), Extremadura and Cataluna. Nuts are sold fresh in Spain and abroad (50% approximately) and the rest are transformed after peeling and freezing. In Spain, there are six main industries that transform chestnuts, the biggest ones are located in Galicia, more than 20 chestnut traders and six cooperatives. They produce and sell frozen and peeled nuts, marron glace, marron natural, cream, marmalade, flour, bonbons and dried nuts. Worst nuts are used as fodder for pigs in Andalucia and Galicia. Nuts are collected by growers and sold to industries, central markets and platforms by intermediaries. Minimum postharvest treatments are disinfestations, cleaning and packaging. Cooperatives located in the main producing areas commercialize more than 10% of total production. Only big producers, mostly in Central Spain, have enough production to sell by themselves. Timber production is coming from coppices in Asturias, Central Spain and Cataluna, and from grafted trees in Galicia. Best timber quality is not only for furniture making, plain-slice veneer, but also for construction. Chestnut timber is also used for making barrels (Cataluna), fences (most of the regions) and baskets (Central Spain). Chestnut contributes to the landscape everywhere, some countryside paths have been improved in to visit our centenary trees and some rural festivals are based on chestnuts, as the so-called magostos. Some old trees are protected by authorities, since they are considered as natural monuments. Chestnut is referred to in Galician literature in medieval manuscripts since 10 th century and some painters, as Castelao, have reflected their relevance in our culture. These values have encouraged research programs to promote chestnut in our country, and the increase of chestnut plantations in North Spain is noticeable. The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) Castana de Galicia has been approved recently to improve regional productions linked to the origin and the genetic singularity of chestnut cultivars. Contracts regulated by the Government, between growers and industrials, are being signed with prices ranging from 0.4 to 1.4 euros per kg depending on the nut size and the cultivar (in order of importance, 'Famosa', 'Negral', 'Longal', 'Garrida' and 'Parede'). Chestnut research in Spain begun in the fifties with hybridisation programs, which produced hybrids resistant to ink disease commercialized nowadays. During the last years, chestnut research has been focused in forestry and nut production, propagation, landscape and genetics.