Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in labour costs, with a rise of 244%. As a result, labour expenses currently constitute approximately 67% of the whole expenditure associated with cherry production. The preponderance of labour expenses is mostly allocated to the harvest phase, constituting over 50% of the overall expenditure.
The process of orchard intensification has been found to result in the early onset of fruit bearing, while also ensuring the production of fruit of good quality. In addition to the utilisation of dwarfing rootstocks, the selection of appropriate training systems holds considerable importance as it exerts a notable impact on the harvest efficiency.
Indeed, there is a growing interest in planar systems and Y-systems due to their ability to enhance canopy light interception and speed-up harvest practices. Currently, it appears that plants trained using the UFO (upright fruiting offshoots) method have the highest harvest rate (0.81 kg/min), followed by those trained using the KGB (Kym green bush) method (0.72 kg/min), while the classic open center method has the lowest rates (0.47 kg/min).
In addition, the crop load management is of utmost importance, commencing with the practise of bud thinning. To further optimize the efficiency of sweet cherry orchards, it is imperative to develop compact fruit walls that possess canopies capable of effectively capturing sunlight while also being suitable to mechanization. This will also make it possible to reduce the high production costs, which today are mainly related to the need for manual labour.
Source: I. Iglesias, Development of innovative high-density orchards aiming for an efficient and sustainable sweet cherry production, IX International Cherry Symposium http://2021.cherries.org.cn/replayEn.html
Melissa Venturi
University of Bologna (IT)
09 Feb 2026
In 2026, cherry emerges as a leading beverage flavor driven by nostalgia, natural colors and functionality. From dark sweet cherry to functional sodas, brands and consumers embrace an iconic, versatile and visually striking taste worldwide across global markets.
11 Dec 2024
Rich in flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids, cherries are renowned for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown their ability to reduce oxidative stress, a key factor in conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders.
19 Mar 2026
Campagna social per le ciliegie della Tasmania tra Sydney e Melbourne: oltre 1,49 milioni di visualizzazioni e 15.600 interazioni. Strategia mirata alle comunità asiatiche durante il Capodanno lunare, con influencer e contenuti ad alto coinvolgimento digitale mirato.
18 Mar 2026
Jerte Valley PDO expands its cherry season with new certified varieties. Between favorable winter chill, growing European demand and insurance challenges, the sector focuses on quality, brand recognition and access to new international markets global competitive.
