After switching to an entirely organic production in 2007, Les Domaines de la Taste has decided to give the avocado a try. The family business specialized in citrus fruit spreads over 110 ha in Pianiccia and it is currently managed by 3 brothers, Anthony, Yoann and Loïc, who share a desire for dynamism and innovation and wish to bring together avocado producers in Corsica to “create a real sector.”
© Les Domaines de la Taste
“In 2016, in order to diversify and expand our range for our clients, we took up the challenge of producing avocados here in Corsica,” explains Anthony. Avocados used to be cultivated on the island last century, but they disappeared nearly 30 years ago, “probably because of the cultivation techniques and varieties that were not adapted” to the climate. “We went to Spain to visit some orchards and nurseries there. We talked to them about the constraints and problems we are facing and it turns out that they had developed varieties with rootstocks more resistant to the various fungi that had destroyed the avocado crops in Corsica.”
In order to continue to diversify, the brothers are currently conducting trials on mangos, passion fruits and lychees / © Les Domaines de la Taste
Corsican avocados: “a sector with a future”
“In the first year, we observed that the trees had adapted well,” explains Anthony. The 3 brothers therefore decided to recreate a market for Corsican avocados and they set up an organization to bring producers together. Thanks to this association, 6 producers currently benefit from technical and cultural monitoring, as well as the necessary logistics to acquire the plants. “We also take care of the analyses, so there is a real follow-up in the field.” The marketing is also covered by the brand Domaines de la Taste. “The idea is to propose a very high-quality product so we select our producers very carefully in order to develop a product with a future.”
© Les Domaines de la Taste
Avocado production is often criticized for its water consumption, but the climate of Corsica offers advantages. “Imported avocados consume a lot of water because they are grown in areas where it does not rain so the orchards are watered with drinking water. But in Corsica, it rains and we have water reserves.” This ethical criterion is important to consumers. “The Corsican avocados have not traveled by boat or plane, and they are also organic!”
The range allows a presence on the market in October with the clementines, and until June with the grapefruit / © Les Domaines de la Taste
1,000 tons of avocados within 7 years
Domaines de la Taste went from 16 ha in 2016 to 25 ha today. In 2021, the first 40 tons were shipped and within 3 years, the volumes should increase to reach 400 to 1,000 tons in total within 7 years. “We are now really starting to produce and we are delighted to finally be able to reap the fruits of this work which started 6 years ago.” The avocados of Domaines de la Taste are distributed everywhere in France.
© Les Domaines de la Taste
Perpetuating the brand and the organic production
Committed and passionate about agricultural practices that respect the living world, the 3 brothers want to help lift the organic sector, “which is currently undergoing a difficult period. But we want to show that organic farming is good in many ways! The idea is to offer good products to our consumers. With our avocados, the objective is the same: to offer a product with high added value!” The brothers clearly strive to perpetuate their brand and to maintain high-end quality.
Domaines de la Taste has control over the entire chain: from production to packing and shipping. A way for the brothers to ensure a constant quality in terms of products and deliveries / © Les Domaines de la Taste
For more information:
Anthony de la Taste
Les Domaines de la Taste
Pianiccia
20270 Tallone
Phone: 04 95 56 37 69
Mobile: 06 26 11 56 86
anthony.delataste@gmail.com
domainesdelataste.com