According to the recommendations of ANA Chile®, the key points are: avoiding soft fruits caused by tree overload; softening of the shoulders or "alligator skin" by harvesting with a color above 3.8; and fruit softening caused by the use of plastic materials after the straw-colored stage.
The cherry harvest period in Chile has already started, and one of the new varieties introduced in the country’s fields, Areko, is now awaiting harvest at the right time to meet quality standards and achieve its best value in the Chinese market, its main destination.
This cultivar, originating from Germany, is the result of a cross between Kordia and Regina and stands out for combining the best characteristics of its parents, such as Kordia’s quality and a tree with good and consistent production and a growth habit similar to Regina.
According to information provided by ANA Chile®, the keys to achieving an optimal harvest with the required quality standards are: avoiding soft fruits due to tree overload, preventing softening in the peduncular zone or "lizard skin" by harvesting with a color above 3.8, Finally, avoid softening of the fruit due to the use of plastic after the straw-yellow colour of the fruit.
For this reason, they recommend starting the harvest at color 3.5 (the maximum harvest color for Regina, not Kordia). In this sense, they suggest harvesting the largest volume with colors between 3.5 and 3.8 to achieve optimal post-harvest conditions, avoiding picking fruits with darker colors beyond the recommended range.
Source: Redagrícola
Image: SL Fruit Service
10 Nov 2025
The 2025/26 cherry harvest begins in South Africa’s Western Cape with new varieties and a 16% rise in production. Exports to Europe, the UK and China benefit from earlier harvests, larger fruit sizes and improved cold chain handling for premium quality.
01 Dec 2023
During an event of WSU's own, Prof. Matthew Whiting of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture took stock of the state of research with his paper titled 'Opportunities for Mechanization in Cherry Production".
25 Feb 2026
A study published in Plant Nano Biology evaluates zinc oxide nanoparticles synthesized from Artemisia annua against Fusarium equiseti in sweet cherry. Results show a strong reduction of postharvest rot, highlighting a sustainable and innovative strategy for crop protection.
25 Feb 2026
In January 2026, Chile’s cherry exports fell to 1.227 billion dollars, below the record levels of 2024 and 2025. China absorbed 88% of total shipments, while the 2025/26 season posted lower figures compared with the previous campaign and the recent overall export trend.
