Casar de Cáceres, August 25. – This Friday, August 25, La Torta del Casar celebrates twenty years as a Protected Designation of Origin recognized by the European Union. The Regulatory Council highlights that this anniversary means that "the commitment that was made at that time by cheesemakers and farmers to protect cheese and its traditional way of making it, to avoid losing a gastronomic and cultural treasure, has been quite a success, a complete success”.
The recognition of Torta del Casar as D.O.P. by the European Union and its adaptation to the common regulatory framework has allowed cheese producers to work more safely in a very competitive market, while generating consumer confidence thanks to a stamp endorsed inside and outside the community territory.
certified production
In fact, the entry into force of the European protection has meant an important boost in the production of Torta del Casar. In 2002, the D.O.P certified 160,000 kilos of cheese, while this figure rose to more than 360,000 kilos in the last year. The goal is to be able to exceed this amount in the coming years, trying to reach 450,000 kilos of certified cheese per year.
The economic results have also accompanied the growth in production in a prominent way in the last twenty years. La Torta del Casar closed the 2022 financial year as the best in its entire historical series, with a sector turnover of more than nine million euros, compared to the three million obtained in 2002.
For its part, the evolution of the markets since 2003 has required updating some commercial aspects of Torta del Casar, which has resulted in two modifications to the Specifications, the most important document of a D.O.P., which defines everything related to the product. The main one was the introduction in 2015 of the small formats of Torta del Casar, weighing less than 500 grams, and which today are the best sellers, mainly due to changes in social structures, with smaller families and new eating habits.
Organization positioning
The twenty years that have elapsed under the presidencies first of Ricardo Regalado Olmos and currently of Ángel Juan Pacheco Conejero have been "of great work, but fully fruitful." The Regulatory Council states that Torta del Casar is in a moment of "maturity and fullness", being "considered nationally and internationally as one of the best and most unique cheeses".
In fact, this recognition as D.O.P. and the subsequent growth has facilitated the development of a highly professional, fully integrated and competitive work structure around Torta del Casar. This has made it possible to opt for European programs both for the promotion of the covered product and for research in various fields, as well as leading regional initiatives and participating in national and international projects, which places the Regulatory Council as a recognized organization inside and outside the country.
next goals
The D.O.P Torta del Casar sets as an immediate objective to ensure dairy production, which is going through "difficult times" due to the abandonment of the activity due to production costs that had not been known in recent years. Cheese factories are in a similar situation, also affected by skyrocketing costs and unstable markets, but the Regulatory Council hopes that the "consolidated brand" gives confidence and progress can be made towards sustainable growth.
Ensuring and, subsequently, expanding production is important to be able to address another of the main goals of the D.O.P, which is to extend its presence in international markets. "It is a necessary objective and it can be achieved" and although progress is being made in exports "there is still a long way to go" assures the Regulatory Council.
Regulatory Council of the Protected Designation of Origin (D.O.P.) Torta del Casar
D.O.P. Torta del Casar are made only in cheese factories registered with the Regulating Council, which works every day to guarantee its origin and quality, controlling the purity of the production process for the full safety and confidence of consumers.
The Protected Designation of Origin protects this cheese of ancient tradition and unique and differentiating qualities. Therefore, when you want to enjoy an authentic D.O.P. Torta del Casar, you have to look for its exclusive control label in which the logo of the Regulatory Council is attached to that of the European Union, the only guarantee that the choice made and international recognition.
Europa Press Communication: 91 359 26 00
Icíar Díaz iciardiaz@europapress.es
Susana Sedano susanasedano@europapress.es
Virginia Garcia virginiagarcia@europapress.es
D.O.P. Regulatory Council Torta del Casar: 927 290 713
Javier Muñoz direccion@tortadelcasar.eu www.tortadelcasar.eu
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