Menorca Industry and Crafts

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Apart from the obvious results of the farming industry, Menorca has created other sources of wealth, like leather produce and costume jewellery, so as to avoid a dependency on the tourist industry. It is thanks to these 3 types of industries (cheese, leather and jewellery), all aimed at the export market that allowed Menorca in the seventies to reach an economic situation of well being and total employment on the island. Nowadays, Menorca is still one of the most prosperous regions in Spain, which as a result explains, the only reason for the comparatively high prices.

THE LEATHER INDUSTRY - The shoe industry has been established for over 100 years, many factories producing shoes for international designers, especially for women. Shoes designed by Pierre Cardin and other Italian names are, in fact made here in Menorca and several shoemakers on the island have acquired a reputation good enough to introduce themselves independently on the international market, e.g., "Pons Quintana" supply shoes all over Europe and even further afield. Shops such as Looky, Rubica, Mayanas, Patricia and Torres are well recognised brand names both on the national and export market and have become well known for producing quality ladies shoes. Gomila of Alayor produce high quality men's shoes, due to the leather used and of the handiwork. It is advisable, therefore to have a good look around the shops, because in comparison to the high international prices and the variation in quality, there are shoes that are good value for money available in Menorca.

THE COSTUME JEWELLRY INDUSTRY - SEBIME, the Mahón Costume Jewellery Fair, one of the largest in Europe, held annually in May, is the best opportunity to appreciate the significance of Menorcan costume jewellery. Every year International costume jewellery makers reveal their new collections to wholesalers and the public alike.

THE CHEESE INDUSTRY - Cheese has been produced in Menorca since early times. Roman documents show of its existence and during several of the English occupations it proved to be one of the main sources of supply for the army. There are some 30.000 cows in Menorca, a quarter less than in recent years due to EEC regulations. Today it's prestige is recognised world-wide. Since 1985 "Mahón" cheese has had its own Denomination of Origin. The regulating Council enforce this strictly watched norm, thus guaranteeing that the cheese is produced according to the traditional methods and retaining its special qualities of aroma, flavour and characteristic bouquet. Each cheese has a numbered label, a guarantee to the consumer that it is genuine "Mahón" cheese. It is available all over the island and comes in the following varieties: Tierno - very mild, often compared to cottage cheese, available salted or unsalted. It does not however, travel very well; Semi-curado - semi-mature, similar to medium-strong cheddar. Travels well. Curado - Mature, similar to a good Parmesan. Añejo - for the real cheese enthusiast, it is a minimum of 10 months old.