• The ceremony will take place on Thursday, 24 September at 7:00 PM at the Centro de Congresos Ciutat d’Elx.
• Elche-born chef Susi Díaz will receive an honorary award for her work as an ambassador of the Mollar de Elche pomegranate.

The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Granada Mollar de Elche will celebrate its 10th anniversary with a gala to be held on Thursday, 24 September at 7:00 PM at the Centro de Congresos Ciutat d’Elx.

Under the title “Ten years building prestige”, the event will provide an opportunity to review the work carried out by the PDO over the past decade, highlight the importance of having a European quality scheme for the region, and recognise the people and organisations that have contributed to the development and consolidation of the designation.

The importance of the event was highlighted during its presentation by José Antonio Román, Councillor for Agriculture at Elche City Council, and Francisco Oliva, President of the PDO Granada Mollar de Elche.

The gala will be aimed primarily at farmers, companies and professionals linked to the sector. It will also bring together representatives of public institutions, agricultural organisations and other entities that have supported the PDO since its creation.

More than 20 awards in 10 categories will be presented during the ceremony to recognise the involvement of farmers, companies, professionals, institutions and organisations that have played an important role in protecting and promoting the Mollar de Elche pomegranate.

Among those to be honoured will be Elche chef Susi Díaz, who will receive a special honorary award for her commitment and work as an ambassador of the Mollar de Elche pomegranate. Over the years, she has helped promote its gastronomic qualities, introduce it into haute cuisine, bring it to the attention of leading chefs in Spain and strengthen the image of the product both within and outside the region.

The gala is supported by Fruverpack, Agroquímicos DQ Agro, TIMAC, Agriauto, TransElx, Cajamar, Aitor J. Mateu, Massó, Grupo Tecnofruta, Olaso, Syngenta, Riegos de Levante and Cooperativa Maitino, with the collaboration of Elche City Council and the Provincial Council of Alicante.

Ten years of building a recognised brand

Elche City Councillor for Agriculture José Antonio Román stressed the significance of the event and the role played by the PDO over the past decade.

“There is no pomegranate in the world better than the Mollar, and in fact it is the only one with a Protected Designation of Origin.”

For his part, Francisco Oliva, President of the PDO Granada Mollar de Elche, said:

“This gala will above all be a tribute to all the people who have made it possible for us to reach this point. The Designation of Origin would not exist without the efforts of our farmers, the commitment of companies and the support of institutions, organisations and professionals who have helped us over these ten years.”

Oliva added:

“We have succeeded in building a recognised brand and positioning the Mollar de Elche pomegranate as a unique product, but this anniversary should also encourage us to look to the future, continue protecting our crop and keep advancing in promotion, differentiation and recognition.”

Commemorative vests for growers

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the PDO will give a commemorative 10th anniversary vest to all farmers registered with the Regulatory Council.

The gesture is intended to recognise in particular the growers who, season after season, make possible the continuation of a crop closely linked to Elche and the surrounding production areas.

The gala will mark the beginning of a particularly important season for the Protected Designation of Origin, during which a number of activities are planned to celebrate the anniversary.

One of the highlights will be the symbolic start of the season on 17 October, led by a prominent guest.

A collaboration is also planned with Elche artist Dolça, together with the production of a series of video recipes created by Susi Díaz, in which the Mollar de Elche pomegranate will be paired with ten Spanish products protected by different Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications.

These initiatives will complement a social media campaign recalling some of the most important moments of the PDO’s first decade, as well as a promotional campaign centred on the slogan “Lo mollar.”

Ten years of protection and promotion

The Mollar de Elche pomegranate received recognition from the European Union as a Protected Designation of Origin in January 2016.

Since then, the Regulatory Council has worked to protect the product name, guarantee its origin and quality, support growers and companies, and increase awareness of a fruit characterised by its sweet flavour, soft seeds and skin colour ranging from cream to red.

Mollar de Elche is the only pomegranate in the world protected by a Protected Designation of Origin. Its production area covers 40 municipalities in the regions of Baix Vinalopó, L’Alacantí and Vega Baja del Segura.