Progress for Chilean variety S-21: first official launch scheduled for 2025

30 Nov 2023
1640

A brand new type of cherry, known as Selection 21 or S-21, has been officially presented to the public as a highly promising prospect developed by the Agricultural Research Institute of Chile (INIA) and the biotechnology coalition BioFrutales under the Cherry Genetic Improvement Program.

S-21 represents the very first cherry variant created exclusively in Chile and was designed by placing special emphasis on early ripening and extended postharvest duration, aiming to ensure a smooth export process to China, which is the main destination for cherries from Chile. Efforts have also been devoted to size, establishing a minimum requirement of 28 millimeters, as well as a rich taste and high yield, no less than 18 tons per hectare, as indicated by BioFrutales director Rodrigo Cruzat.

Over the past 14 years, BioFrutales has analyzed as many as 50,000 distinct cherry trees in its experimental fields in the Coquimbo and O'Higgins regions. About 40 of them made it to the intermediate selection stage, but only seven were selected for the final stage. With the unanimous approval of INIA's Regional Committee for the Introduction of New Varieties, S-21 will move on to the registration process with the Chilean Agriculture and Livestock Service, preparing to become a commercial variety next year. Official planting is scheduled for 2025.

S-21 received approval in Chile's central Coquimbo region due to its ability to withstand high temperatures during the winter months. Its suitability has also been verified in south-central Chile, demonstrating growth potential in the Valparaiso, O'Higgins and Maule regions.

Read the full article: Produce Report

Image: Asiafruit


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

CherryTech 2024: how technology and innovation are transforming post-harvest

Events

02 Jul 2024

Nicolás Zamorano, consultant for Asian markets, commented that in China, consumers 'were mainly trained on cherry varieties. Today the business is no longer global, but increasingly specific, along with the requirements customers have for each variety'.

Good start for Catalonia: quality and size even after climate problems

Production

21 May 2024

The weather factors mainly affected the first cherries of the year. The harvest will not reach its maximum production potential and will be around 8,700 tonnes out of a possible 9,500 tonnes, which is slightly above the average of the last five years.

In evidenza

Poland Hit by Frost: Cherry Production Down 30% in 2025/26

Markets

09 Jul 2025

Poland’s cherry output is forecast at just 115,000 tons in 2025/26, marking a 30% drop due to severe spring frosts. Early varieties were worst hit, with some orchards losing up to 90%. Imports rise sharply while domestic inventories vanish, tightening the EU market.

Digital twins for cherry trees: German research featured in Kansas (USA)

Tech management

09 Jul 2025

During the Precision Agriculture Conference in Manhattan, Kansas, German researchers unveiled For5G: a project using digital twins to monitor cherry tree growth. This technology enables accurate yield forecasting, smarter crop management and adaptation to climate-related challeng

Tag Popolari