Finca Albalate's greenhouses offer optimal conditions for promoting cherry cultivation

26 Jul 2024
1613

Javier de Pablo is a Spanish agricultural engineer with twenty years of experience in cherry cultivation under controlled greenhouse conditions. From the beginning, his commitment has been pioneering and, in addition to allowing him to produce cherries of the highest quality, it has opened doors to numerous phytosanitary and fertilization companies, breeders, nurseries, and public research centers seeking comprehensive solutions for developing new products, practices, or varieties in the sector.

To channel this fruitful relationship with his clients, Javier de Pablo has just created the “Finca Albalate” brand, with a renewed corporate design and a portfolio that includes all the agronomic services he already provides, supported by the human and material resources he has available.

Image 1: Greenhouse area.

The team led by Javier de Pablo includes, among others, Santiago Achón, the farm's production manager with 25 years of experience in controlling, managing, and harvesting fruit trees and an expert in tree multiplication through shield budding, whip grafting, and English grafting techniques. Idoia Remón holds a degree in Biotechnology and specializes in quality analysis and phenological monitoring of trials and varieties.

Finca Albalate (Aragon, Spain) has a unique infrastructure in the cherry sector for conducting trials:

  • Multicapillary plot (2 hectares): a single environment. It has lateral and zenithal windows.
  • Individual tunnels (4 hectares): divided into 35 mini-greenhouses.
  • Outdoor cherry trees (34 hectares): Brooks, Prime Giant, Coral Champagne, and several of the latest varieties in the current panorama.

Image 2: Javier de Pablo.

Thanks to these facilities, “Finca Albalate” conducts various types of agronomic trials tailored to the needs of each of its clients:

  • Varieties and rootstocks: possibility of conducting trials outdoors or in greenhouses for breeders and nurseries. Combination of varieties with different rootstocks. Production of cherries in pots.
  • Fertilization: application, analysis, and study of different fertilizers for crust formation, color, hardness, sugar content, or earliness.
  • Phytosanitary tests.
  • Phenological controls: weekly monitoring of the productive state of the cherry tree, leaves, fruit size, and hardness.

Recently, some of this work has also been carried out on other external farms belonging to their clients, located in different areas of Spain, Azerbaijan, or Georgia: a clear example is the tests carried out with the company SAS, where the homogenization of flower products is being tested.

As part of the company's international expansion, Javier de Pablo provides consulting services in other countries worldwide, such as Portugal, Uzbekistan, and, more recently, Chile, as a global expert in greenhouse cherry cultivation. At this point, he covers the entire cultivation cycle, starting from the design of the farm itself:

  • In-depth study of soil and climate.
  • Soil analysis: pH, nutrients, and texture.
  • Variety selection.
  • Advice on choosing materials and designing greenhouses.

Image 3: Intensive greenhouses.

In addition to this initial work, Javier de Pablo also offers personalized support in agronomic management:

  • Implementation and application of efficient irrigation.
  • Pruning guidance.
  • Monitoring and control of flowering and fruit set.
  • Pest and disease control strategies.
  • Technical assistance throughout the year.
  • Technical assistance throughout the entire cultivation process.
  • Implementation of training and education programs. 

Finca Albalate is a new brand for the consulting services and agronomic work carried out by Javier de Pablo and his team of technicians and experts. His contact is javierdepablo@fincaalbalate.com

Source: Finca Albalate
Image: Finca Albalate


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Exploring Skylar Rae: Rivoira Group's premium cherry

Varieties

02 Jul 2024

The product will be sold at a premium price, 30% higher than standard cherries. The packaging will include the brand and variety name, Tip Top, accompanied by a targeted communication campaign. A landing in the Italian large-scale retail trade is also planned.

Tree competition in plantations: study in Shaoxing, China compares key competition indices

Tech management

17 Mar 2026

Research conducted at the Agricultural Business College in Shaoxing, China compares different tree competition indices used in plantations. The study evaluates how spatial factors, tree size and environmental conditions influence growth dynamics and forest management strategies.

In evidenza

Post-harvest deficit irrigation in ‘Santina’ cherry: Chile study results

Tech management

15 Apr 2026

A study from Universidad de Concepcion in Chile examines controlled deficit irrigation in post-harvest “Santina” cherry orchards, highlighting effects on plant physiology, yield, and soil microbiota without significant productivity losses and improving water use efficiency.

Chile is promoting its frozen fruit: blueberries are leading the way, whilst cherries are gaining ground

Processed

15 Apr 2026

Chile’s frozen fruit sector is expanding rapidly, with +26% in volume and +30% in value in 2024 and continued growth in 2025. Blueberries dominate exports, while cherries and raspberries gain momentum thanks to innovation, modern facilities and shifting global demand.

Tag Popolari