Despite adverse weather conditions this year due to the El Niño phenomenon, Bloom Fresh, a company resulting from the merger of SNFL and IFG, successfully demonstrated the earliness of their new low-chill cherry varieties. They organized an event in Tabalí, in the Coquimbo region, to showcase these varieties, which managed to fruit even without the usual cold conditions and winter rest management.
In the Westfalia orchard, after a four-year testing period, one of their varieties called Cheery Crunch was harvested in week 43, without any cold accumulation or covering, proving to be earlier than traditional varieties like Brooks.
Interestingly, in the Tabalí area, the Valle Arriba company managed to harvest the Brooks variety in week 41, while the rest of the region had expected the harvest in weeks 42 and 43.
As part of their commitment to low-chill varieties, Bloom Fresh is exploring new cultivation areas, such as Arica in northern Chile and even in Brazil, where they are seeking suitable locations for these varieties that require around 200 hours of cold. They are investing in "test blocks" in these regions to assess feasibility.
Read the full article: RedagrÍcola
Images: RedagrÍcola, IFG
29 Aug 2025
Chile has launched with China a 100% digital phytosanitary certification system for agricultural exports. The initiative improves security, traceability and efficiency for key products such as cherries, grapes, plums, grains and flowers, while reducing costs and delivery times.
29 Aug 2024
When developing a fertilisation programme, it is necessary to determine what nutrients the crop needs and when it needs them. A simple approach is to define the needs of the trees and the crop based on the estimated yield.
24 Apr 2026
Cheery Glow, Bloom Fresh’s early cherry, is expanding in Chile with 200 hectares. Low chill requirement, high quality and up to 60 days storage make it ideal for export to China, Europe and the United States, helping growers face climate challenges and competitive global markets.
24 Apr 2026
Paclife Conference 2026 focuses on cherries, postharvest, automation and global markets, highlighting how data, innovation and integrated logistics are crucial drivers to ensure quality, competitiveness and value across the Chilean and international export supply chain.
