How do fig pickers in Mallorca coordinate logistics to manage multiple harvests per tree across different ripening times?

Fig pickers in Mallorca employ a carefully planned approach to managing the multiple harvests that each fig tree offers throughout the season. Since fig trees can bear fruit several times in succession, harvesters must pay close attention to the ripening schedule, which varies depending on the tree variety, local microclimate, and individual crop conditions. This staggered ripening requires pickers to frequently revisit the same trees, often every few days, to collect figs at their peak freshness, ensuring the highest quality produce for sale or personal use.

To coordinate these efforts efficiently, fig pickers usually work in teams and follow a rotating schedule that covers different groves or sections of an orchard. This system helps balance the workload and prevents any area from being overlooked or overharvested. Advanced planning involves tracking the growth stages of the fruit and predicting the optimal picking times, which can be aided by agricultural records or local knowledge passed down through generations. Communication among pickers is also vital, often facilitated through mobile devices or regular meetings, allowing them to share updates about ripening progress and any changes in weather conditions that might affect harvest timing.

In more commercial operations, logistics extend beyond just picking to include immediate sorting and transportation to preserves, markets, or processing facilities. Maintaining the figs' quality requires swift handling after harvest, so coordinating the logistics of pick-up times and delivery routes is integral. Overall, the success of managing multiple fig harvests hinges on a combination of local expertise, careful scheduling, and teamwork, allowing for a sustainable and efficient fig-picking process throughout the season in Mallorca.