French strawberries

The quality approach implemented by the producer association of strawberries of Nîmes is set to earn the region's fruit PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) status, according to French publication Végétable.

The strawberries are produced in the localised zone in the southeast of Nîmes, in the south of France, and join the region's wine, olives and olive oil as officially controlled products.

According to the new appellation, the strawberries must live up to certain high standards, including a minimum Brix level of 7 per cent and a minimum colouration of the fruit.

The producer association produces two varieties of strawberry in collaboration with the Ctifl research centre of Balandran: Gariguette, the first open-air strawberries of the season, and Ciflorette.