The Lunar New Year is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated events on the Asian continent. However, in recent years it has taken on great significance in Chile. The cherry has become a very popular product in the Chinese market, which is becoming increasingly friendly towards Chile.
Quelen Fruit has not remained indifferent to this phenomenon and, during the month of January, part of its management team experienced first-hand the journey that its cherries take to reach the end consumer in China. Raúl Orellana, technical manager for quality and post-harvest and member of the delegation, talks about his experience in China and how it prepares the company for the coming season.
What was the purpose of this trip to China?
Quelen Fruit always sends personnel to inspect the fruit at its destination. As technical manager, my role is to be present in China, where we interact with our customers. The most important thing is to observe how the cherries arrive and how the different labels we have there perform.
How do you evaluate the performance of our labels?
Over the last two years we have been working to promote our Fénix brand. The feeling is that we have made significant progress and that our premium label - Fénix - is positioning itself as one of the best on the market.
What conclusions can be drawn from last season?
In terms of experience, this year has been positive. Our customers see that we are making progress in the volume and quality of our fruit. This work has taken time, but it has helped us to understand what the Chinese customer is looking for, which is consistency. So far we have managed to maintain this consistency from start to finish.
To what do you owe these results?
The most important thing in the cherry season is planning and we, as a company, are following this plan. The operations area and all areas in general have implemented a training plan during the year, which has enabled us to tackle the season optimally.
How are you planning for the coming season?
We aim to continue increasing our production volume. Chile is expected to grow in volume and we want to keep up with this growth. We have big challenges ahead of us because, besides increasing our capacity, we have to maintain the consistency and quality of our fruit.
Source: Quelen Fruit®
21 May 2024
Cherry packers Prima Frutta Packing, Dunstan Hills and Panmure Orchards in California, the US and New Zealand have implemented TOMRA's LUCAi technology, achieving ‘improved grading and a productivity increase of around 10%’.
12 May 2025
After a challenging year for Michigan cherries, the Grower Alliance led by Leisa Eckerle-Hankins is working to revive the struggling industry with innovative marketing, fairer pricing, and close attention to global markets, aiming for a strong and resilient 2025 season.
10 Sep 2025
A recent Chinese study shows that combining tea polyphenols and nisin preserves the quality of “Brooks” and “Summit” cherries for up to 21 days. The treatment delays senescence and spoilage, offering a natural, effective and eco-friendly postharvest solution.
10 Sep 2025
The Jerte PDO closes its 2025 season with 1.3 million kg certified, surpassing the previous year. The campaign was led by picota cherries, supported by new varieties such as Lapins, Burlat and Van, which extended the market season and boosted the PDO’s visibility worldwide.
