The carob It is consolidated as one of the emerging crops with the greatest projection in the Mediterranean agriculture, thanks to the increase in studies and technical improvements that are allowing its production to be optimized. In recent years, demand for carob It has grown significantly due to its recognized nutritional properties, its contribution of fiber and antioxidants, as well as its versatility in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
However, the carob cultivation It faces significant challenges, such as its late entry into production and the need for advanced management and irrigation techniques. Traditionally, propagation of this species has had a high failure rate, which limited the expansion of profitable, high-quality plantations. Until recently, only 30-40% of plants were successfully grown in nurseries..
Innovation in grafting techniques
In the Valencian town of Carlet, the Hernandorena nursery has led the development of an innovative grafting technique which is changing the pace of carob production in Spain. Working closely with the Association of Innovative Carob Companies, this nursery has managed to raise to 65% success rate in seedling multiplication, doubling previous figures and opening up new opportunities for farmers.
The commercial director of the nursery highlights the years of trials and continuous improvement in reproduction systems and the quality of the plants. The process, which requires considerable technical expertise due to the carob tree's sensitivity to temperature and humidity, involves keeping the seedlings in greenhouses for periods that can exceed two years.
In the last campaign, the technique has been applied to about 100.000 patterns, expecting 65.000 to be fully developed and ready for distribution starting in September. These results place the nursery as a European benchmark in carob production. and lay the foundation for expanding the surface area and quality of the crop.
Professionalization projects and the future of carob in Spain
Among the most innovative lines of work, the project stands out Carob Tree, whose objective is to boost Spain's leadership in cultivated area and technical development of the carob tree. The plan is structured around two main axes: on the one hand, optimize nursery production through improvements in the graft and root system, also seeking to reduce costs without losing quality; on the other hand, modernize planting techniques in the field, intensifying the frames and advancing the entry into production of young trees.
The nursery team emphasizes the importance of ongoing research and a commitment to professionalization, which can position Spain as a leading country in carob cultivation within Europe. In the medium term, these initiatives aim to strengthen the carob's position as an ingredient. cocoa substitute, natural thickener and raw materials for new industrial and food applications.
Thanks to these advances, the carob production is in a phase of profound change, combining tradition and technology to respond to the growing demand and the search for more sustainable and profitable crops for the Spanish countryside.
