The wild blueberry of the Modenese Apennines is the only berry in Italy to enjoy institutional protection. Unfortunately, the 2024 season disappointed the operators who, despite having the necessary authorizations, were unable to harvest the berries. Let’s see what happened.
The regulations for harvesting
The regulations for blueberry harvesting are enforced by the Ente Parchi Emilia Centrale, which includes the Parco del Frignano. It allows harvesting up to 1 kilogram for everyone and up to 5 kilograms for residents of the Park's municipalities. With a "one-time" daily authorization costing 10 euros, residents can also collect up to 20 kilograms for personal use.
For residents of at least 5 consecutive years in the Park's municipalities, the category of "professional" pickers, registered in the specific "Pickers' Registry", is confirmed, allowing them to collect up to 100 kilograms daily with a seasonal authorization.
Berries disappeared on the first day
But the long-awaited wild blueberry harvest in the Parco del Frignano, in the high Modenese Apennines, had a start this year that left many empty-handed. Literally. In fact, the official opening of the harvest, at 6 a.m. on July 30, 2024, did take place. Too bad the blueberries were missing, both at Libro Aperto and Croce Arcana areas. Among the first to notice their absence was Marco Guidotti, a resident of Canevare, who left home before dawn especially for the occasion.
“At 5:45 a.m. the berries were already gone,” Guidotti says bitterly. “I was shocked. I walked for over a mile and a half looking for a spot that hadn’t been picked over. But I didn’t find one.” After walking from the Croce Arcana pass to Monte del Libro Aperto, Guidotti confirmed: only inedible berries remained because they were too ripe. Nothing else.
“There were plenty last Sunday, I had checked – he continues – It’s impossible that residents picked so many in just over a day. Thinking it over, I’ve come up with my own theories.”
It’s not the residents
Indeed, a similar episode happened last year at the nearby area of Cimoncino, where, on the eve of the harvest, the blueberries disappeared: “Maybe I’m wrong to point fingers, these are just my suppositions – Guidotti says apologetically – But I fear certain associations are involved, because it’s impossible that residents took them: the quantities were too large and the time too short.”
Determined to get to the bottom of it the resident planned to go to the park authority’s office “to report the incident and ask for explanations.”
“Furthermore,” he adds, “I will point out that in my opinion, the harvest should be moved to a different date. The remaining berries were so ripe that they were no longer even edible. The fruits were ready at least ten days ago, I think. Anyway, I intend to get to the bottom of this: I want to get to the truth of this matter.”
Source: Gazzetta di Modena
Photo: APT Fanano
