The overall objective of the LOCALPISTACHIO project is to develop and validate analytical models for verifying the botanical and geographical origin of pistachios produced in Spain. The project aims to provide reliable tools to discourage food fraud, support traceability, and increase the added value of locally produced pistachios.

Pistachios are mainly produced in the United States, Iran, and Türkiye. In Spain, however, pistachio cultivation has expanded considerably in recent years and is expected to continue growing. This expansion is supported by both environmental and economic considerations. Pistachios are promoted as an alternative to fruit crops with higher water requirements, while their cultivation can offer a more favourable cost–benefit ratio than that of many other crops.

As pistachio production in Spain is still developing, the sector is particularly vulnerable to the fraudulent mislabelling of imported pistachios as locally produced products. Such practices could undermine consumer confidence, damage the competitiveness and reputation of the Spanish pistachio sector, and pose a potential risk to food security. However, validated analytical strategies for verifying the botanical origin (cultivar) and geographical origin of pistachios are currently lacking. This highlights the need to develop robust authentication models specifically designed to distinguish Spanish-grown pistachios from those produced in other countries and to discriminate among cultivars. Such tools could help prevent food fraud and contribute to protecting and increasing the added value of the Spanish pistachio sector.

The project LOCALPISTACHIO has received a grant (Ref CNS2023-145490) funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future”.