The campaign by Lloret and Arcufi to save the Mallorcan fig tree

For centuries, the fig tree has been an undisputed icon of the landscape and agricultural culture of Mallorca. But right now, its survival is more tied to consumer decisions than to climatology. Thus, an initiative emerges that wants to raise the alarm and, at the same time, celebrate this fruit so dear to us with a touch of originality and commitment.

The campaign promoted by the Association for the Recovery of Fig Cultivation, Arcufi, under the slogan 'If you eat figs, let them be mine', has gained momentum in Lloret de Vistalegre. It is a message that, beyond the wordplay, calls for support to local farmers and to strengthen the consumption of figs grown in Mallorca, thus protecting the island’s agricultural and cultural wealth.

The Sequer festival and the prominence of the fig

A tradition that reinvents itself

On August 29th, the 45th edition of the Sequer festival promises a notable change. This celebration, which since its beginnings recalls the traditional technique of drying fruit, has transformed into a gastronomic event with a clear bet: that the fig be present in all the dishes of the gastronomic market. It doesn’t matter if it is the star or a companion, but its presence will be mandatory, turning the market into a true culinary laboratory around this emblematic fruit.

Commitment to the local product

Arcufi has provided a complete directory of local farmers and producers offering Mallorcan figs and derivatives. Thus, every stall that sells native figs can display a badge that guarantees origin and commitment to the zero-kilometer product. This measure not only promotes responsible purchasing but also enhances the visibility of the local producer in a market that tends towards globalization.

A space for growers and new generations

Fostering the fig tree culture at home

Among the novelties of this edition, a space dedicated exclusively to Mallorcan growers stands out. The initiative responds to many inquiries that Arcufi receives from citizens interested in planting fig trees of local varieties, but who do not know where to obtain them with guarantees. This meeting point will facilitate access to native seedlings and will reinforce the preservation of traditional varieties that define Mallorca’s agricultural identity.

Building networks between farmers and consumers

At the campaign presentation, figures like Toni Feliu, a farmer and member of the Local Varieties Association, emphasized the need to create a solid network between those who cultivate and those who consume. This dialogue is key to ensuring that the fig tree not only stays visible on tables but continues to be a living element of Mallorcan agricultural and cultural heritage.

The origins and future of Mallorcan farming

The festival as a cultural boost

Since its creation in 1981, the Sequer festival has evolved from a small gathering to a mass event that vindicates the tradition of drying fruits. With this campaign, a step further has been taken, highlighting the figure of the farmer and the need to preserve local fig cultivation.

Anyone can contribute to saving the fig tree

Hand in hand with Arcufi and the Lloret Town Hall, the initiative invites everyone to get involved, either by buying local figs, participating in the festival, or planting a fig tree at home. This virtuous circle aims to ensure that the Mallorcan fig tree does not become a lost story, but a living heritage that still has much to offer.

The festival and campaign show that, to keep a crop alive, nature alone is not enough, but a collective consciousness that decides to bet on the local product. Lloret positions itself, thus, as a meeting point for those wanting to know and preserve an essential part of Mallorcan culture.

For those interested in discovering more places to enjoy local products, we also recommend exploring options of where to eat in Tarragona, or discovering the best-kept secret of L’Hospitalet with our article about where to eat in L’Hospitalet.

The reality is that, even though it may seem that we are only talking about a fruit, the campaign and the Sequer festival represent a broader movement to conserve the agricultural and cultural identity of Mallorca, a challenge that affects farmers, consumers, and institutions alike.