Nuts have become part of a limited group of Portuguese agri-food sectors that manage to achieve much-desired food self-sufficiency. In the case of almonds it is 170% and in the case of chestnuts it is 116% in relation to the national consumption.
The value of Portuguese agricultural production in 2021 was 9.6 billion euros, representing a growth rate of 14.6% compared to 2020, and therefore it is fair to say that dried fruits today, with a production of 80,000 tons and exports reaching 100 million euros contributed. to this success.
A lot has passed before we got here, as dried fruits have always been produced in Portugal, and almonds are a crop that has existed in Europe for thousands of years. The breakthrough element was, first of all, the fact that over the past 10 years we have witnessed a revolution in precision farming, irrigation and varieties that increase productivity up to five times.
Few people know that Portugal was the country in the world that grew the most in terms of percentage in the almond sector, both in terms of area and production, which positions us as a contender in relation to the world’s largest producer of almonds. almonds, which is located in the USA (70% of world production). Is this still the story of David and Goliath? Yes it is! But this phenomenon is of greater importance not from a quantitative point of view, in which Portugal currently occupies an undeniable place at the European level (3rd largest producer), but from a qualitative point of view, since Portuguese or Mediterranean almonds are now beginning to be appreciated for its quality and large international traders, more and more confirming consumer preferences.
What can Portugal say to the Portuguese consumer and also to the European nut consumer? Something simple and perhaps more and more meaningful in our rational but also emotional consumer desires. Today we are seeing problems in live supply chains and we think it makes sense to cut those chains in the direction of what should be EU food self-sufficiency.
An analysis of environmental sustainability needs to be carried out on a planetary scale, and this is where Portugal has a comparative advantage. Firstly, for the production of irrigated dried fruits, compared to the world’s largest producer, Portugal uses less water because it irrigates with modern drip systems and the CO2 emission cycle is lower, as it reduces transport and logistics chains precisely because it is closer to a large consumer market which is Europe.
Today, due to inflation, Portugal has the most expensive food basket in the EU, just behind Germany and Sweden. The bet cannot be to close Portugal, given that Portugal must be self-sufficient on its own, but it becomes clear that Portugal must produce what it is empirically good at, which allows it to exploit the investment.
Does this mean that Portugal meets its dietary needs by eating almonds and tomatoes or drinking olive oil and wine (foods that we are self-sufficient for)? Of course not! The logic of food self-sufficiency must necessarily be European, in which each of the 27 member countries produces what it has an appetite and conditions for, ensuring quality and competitive prices throughout the world.
In fact, there is a happy coincidence – it is the sectors that are self-sufficient in Portugal that are also the most exporting sectors, and not only in terms of quantity, but also in terms of quality. Just think of wine, olive oil and, of course, dried fruit!
Method Media Bermuda will present the documentary FABRIC: Portuguese History in Bermuda on Thursday, December 29 at the Underwater Research Institute of Bermuda.
A spokesperson said: “Method Media is proud to bring Bermuda Fabric: Portugal History to Bermuda for its 5th and 6th showing at the Bermuda Underwater Observatory. In November and December 2019, Cloth: A Portuguese Story in Bermuda had four sold-out screenings. Now that Bermuda has reopened after the pandemic, it’s time to bring the film back for at least two screenings.
“There are tickets Ptix.bm For $ 20 – sessions at 15:30 and 18:00. Both screenings will be followed by a short Q&A session.
Director and producer Milton Raboso says, “FABRIC is a definitive account of the Portuguese community in Bermuda and its 151 years of history, but it also places Bermuda, Acors and Portugal in the world history and the events that have fueled those 151 years.
“It took more than 10 years to implement FABRIC. The film was supported by the Minister of Culture, the Government of the Azores and private donors.
“Bermuda Media Method [MMB] Created in 2011 by producer Milton Raposo. MMB has created content for a wide range of clients: Bermuda’s new hospital renovation, reinsurance, travel campaigns, international sports and more. MMB pays special attention to artistic, cultural and historical content.
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Maestro Filipe Cunha, Artistic Director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Braga, has been invited to conduct the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra, as announced today.
According to a statement sent by O MINHO, “he will be the first Portuguese conductor to conduct this orchestra in its entire history.”
In addition to this orchestra, the maestro will also work with the Lyceo Mozarteum de la Habana Symphony Orchestra.
The concerts will take place on 4 and 12 March 2023 at the National Theater of Cuba in Havana.
In the words of the maestro, quoted in the statement, “these will be very beautiful concerts with difficult but very complex pieces” and therefore he feels “very motivated”.
From the very beginning, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 will be performed by an Italian pianist (Luigi Borzillo), whom the maestro wants to bring to Portugal later this year. In the same concert, Mendelshon’s First Symphony will be performed.
Then, at the second concert, in the company of the Mexican clarinetist Angel Zedillo, he will perform the Louis Sfora Concerto No. 2. In this concert, the maestro also conducts Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony.
“This is an international recognition of my work. An invitation that I accept with humility and great responsibility. I was surprised to learn that I would be the first Portuguese member of the Cuban National Symphony Orchestra. This is a very great honor,” the maestro said in a statement.
“I take with me the name of the city of Braga and Portugal with all the responsibility that goes with it, and I hope to do a good job there, leaving a good image and putting on great concerts. These will be very special concerts because, in addition to performing pieces that I love, especially Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky, I will be directing two wonderful soloists who are also my friends. It will be very beautiful,” concludes Filipe Cunha.