The 41st Pêro Festival drew several hundred people on Sunday to Ponta do Pargo, on Madeira's westernmost tip.
Producer João Silva, from Quinta das Manias, reported that the sun, heat, and wind damaged some of the fruit, causing pears to fall and reducing overall production. He noted that while there were losses, the quality of the remaining fruit was reasonable. Silva is continuing to invest in recovering the orchards, which have also been affected by recent fires.
Silva is cultivating around 500 grafted plants to renew the orchard and boost production, with assistance from an experienced neighbor. Fruit that falls but is still suitable for consumption is used to make jams by Quinta das Manias, a method to utilize and add value to the produce, aiming to supply supermarkets.
The festival featured official speeches, awards for farmers and domino tournament participants, an allegorical and ethnographic parade, and musical performances. The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Nuno Maciel, was in attendance.
