Carne Cachena da Peneda DOP

Description: Carne Cachena da Peneda PDO, obtained from Cachena breed, is a succulent meat, slightly moist and very tasty. Commercially, it comes in full, half or quarters of carcasses, as well as in portions packaged vacuum or in “cuvettes”. Four different specifications are accepted: veal, young beef, steer and cow.

Production method: Between early spring and late autumn the animals are fed exclusively through grazing in high altitude meadows. During winter they graze on pastures closer to the populations and are also fed with natural products. The use of products that interfere with the normal rate of growth and development of the animals is not allowed.

Special features: The Cachena, a small sized breed, is easily distinguished by their spiral horns. The farming method reflects the community spirit of mutual help of local people: it is usual for animals of several owners to graze together, as it is also usual for an owner to take care both of his/hers animals and of those of his/hers neighbors.

Production area: Occupying near 743 km2, the production area of Carne Cachena da Peneda PDO is located in the mountainous region of the Minho region, across the districts of Viana do Castelo (part of the municipalities of Arcos de Valdevez, Melgaço, Monção and Ponte da Barca) and Braga (part of the municipalities of Terras de Bouro and Vila Verde).

History: The characteristics and mode of creation of this breed are perfectly in tune with the agrarian structure of the region and with the habits and customs of its people, as proved by the numerous references to this breed in local sayings. By the end of the 19th century the animals of this breed were already described as being small, dwarf sized, denoting its morphological adaptation to the mountain habitat (where the shape of their horns allowed mothers to protect their calves from wolf attacks).

Product specification (pdf)

Geographical area

Producer group
Cooperativa Agrícola de Arcos de Valdevez e Ponte da Barca

Control and certification body
CERTIS -Controlo e Certificação, Lda

Control plan
Control plan (pdf)

Publication in EU official journal
Regulamento (CE) n.º 1495/2002 da Comissão - L225 22.08.2002

Publication in the Portuguese official journal
Despacho n.º 36/1994 - 04.02.1994
Despacho n.º 3934/1998 - 06.03.1998
Despacho n.º 18910/2002 - 26.08.2002
Aviso n.º 14828/2011 - 26.07.2011