An international plant breeding company has introduced new cherry varieties designed to withstand the difficult heat and drought conditions typical of inland regions of Australia. These developments come as cherry producers in the outback explore alternative varieties to adapt their crops to climate change. The new varieties, which could start bearing fruit as early as next year, aim to extend the cherry season.
Given the “high-risk, high-reward” nature of cherry cultivation, the introduction of these new varieties offers a significant advantage in addressing the negative effects of climate change. Since over 80% of the national cherry production is consumed in Australia, it is essential to meet domestic demand.
The low-temperature varieties introduced by Bloom Fresh, an international breeding company, are now being planted to ensure the supply chain for both the Australian market and exports.
The technical manager of Bloom Fresh for Australia and New Zealand, Arisa Hayashi, emphasized that these new varieties are particularly suited for areas like the Riverland of South Australia and the Sunraysia region in Victoria. Unlike traditional cherry varieties, which require 800-1,000 hours of chilling, these new cherries require less than half that, making them ideal for warmer climates.
Image 1: Cheery Nebula.
The introduction of the Cheery Cupid and Cheery Nebula varieties involves a licensing fee for growers, who contribute to a research and development fund, providing them with ongoing support from the company. This model aims to promote a collaborative approach to improving cherry production amidst climate challenges.
As the local cherry season runs from October to February, these new varieties could also find a place in southern Queensland, expanding the geographic range of cherry cultivation in Australia. The largest cherry producer in South Australia, Tony Hannaford, is already experimenting with these varieties, hoping to produce more reliable and flavorful cherries in the future.
Source: Freshplaza
Images: IFG; Perishable News
10 Feb 2026
Cases of sudden death in Chilean cherry orchards highlight the impact of Pseudomonas syringae and wood diseases. Climate stress, frosts and post-harvest management are redefining disease dynamics and orchard protection strategies.
14 Jun 2024
Statewide surveys were conducted in Oregon sweet cherry orchards for virus and virus-like diversity and distribution. A subsequent survey was conducted in the Mid-Columbia production region for the presence of little cherry symptoms associated with little cherry and X-Diseases.
21 Aug 2026
A genomic study identifies 17 HSP70 and HSP90 genes in sweet cherry and explains how they respond to heat and salinity. The results highlight key genes, including PavHSP90-5, that could support breeding of cultivars with resilience to climatic and environmental stress.
21 Aug 2026
A study in southern Chile shows how mineral nutrition, especially the balance between nitrogen and phosphorus, may influence internal browning in Regina sweet cherries, postharvest quality and the fruit’s ability to withstand long storage periods for export markets.
