‘It will be a year marked by earliness also for the cherry orchards in the open field, given the mild temperatures recorded until a few days ago and for much of the winter period. The fruits have reached an appreciably advanced stage of veraison. We will start harvesting the Bigarreau variety next weekend (end of April), marking an advance of about two weeks compared to last season, when the first cuts were made on 10 May'.
This was reported by entrepreneur Giacomo Giotta, owner of the company of the same name in Conversano (Bari - Apulia) with 20 hectares invested in cherry trees.
The great interest in cherries was already palpable with the first Italian greenhouse productions ready at the beginning of the month, as well as the Spanish ones that later arrived on the markets with prices per kilo prohibitive for the average consumer. In Apulia, the cherry orchards are in excellent health and a good campaign is expected in terms of quantity, quality and size, thanks so far to the absence of any return of cold weather or adverse weather phenomena.
‘The cherry market appears to be quite buoyant this year,’ says the producer. ‘I believe that demands will increase in the coming days, also because a satisfying percentage of extra produce is visible on the plants. Compared to 2023, yields are higher (around +20-25%), but this increase in production will not fully compensate for the numerous explantations that have recently occurred in our areas.
Some speak of a thousand fewer hectares than a year ago. The causes are attributable not only to the spread of Drosophila suzukii, but also to the acute shortage of labour and above all to the commercial crisis we have suffered in recent years'.
Source: Freshplaza
Image: Freshplaza
29 May 2024
‘With this new interface, an operator can work with the machine after only a few hours of training,’ says María Cabello, marketing and communications manager at MAF Roda, ‘a system fully adapted to very short campaigns and high staff turnover.
03 Mar 2025
Interview with Antonio Walker, president of the National Agricultural Society, Chile: 'I encourage farmers to diversify, that is always a guarantee. If you only plant one species, the risk is greater."
04 Mar 2026
In cherry orchards of the Maule Region (Chile), circular paper chromatography is evaluated as a qualitative method to understand soil properties. Results highlight links with organic matter and agronomic management, supporting more sustainable production strategies.
04 Mar 2026
Chilean cherry exports to China are projected to rise by 14.3% by 2030, increasing market pressure and pushing prices down. Industry leaders and the SNA warn that up to 30,000 hectares may need to be removed to restore balance and protect long-term profitability.
