RipeLocker announced “significant progress” in its collaboration with Gebbers Farms and Chelan Fresh, improving long-term storage and delivery of cherries for the 2024 season.
The group, which offers low-pressure chambers designed to extend freshness, stated that after six years of testing, it has overcome the challenges associated with cherry preservation, optimizing harvest timing and storage techniques. It confirmed that cherries harvested in mid-July were delivered in mid-August to a major national retailer, where they passed the quality check without exceptions.
“Lowering acidity levels, browning, and brown stems make long-term cherry preservation difficult,” said George Lobisser, CEO and co-founder of RipeLocker. “After six years of trials, we have finally found the right techniques.”
“The credit goes to the collaboration between Johnny Gebbers of Gebbers Farms and our Director of Horticultural Sciences, Brendon Anthony, PhD,” he explained. “They worked closely to review RipeLocker’s harvesting practices and protocols to successfully preserve cherries.”
In addition to the cherries delivered in mid-August, some RipeLockers were used to preserve cherries until mid-September, coinciding with the Chinese Moon Festival. “These cherries would have easily passed the quality check by our recipients,” said Tom Riggan, CEO of Chelan Fresh. “The Chinese market would have particularly appreciated the green stems.”
RipeLocker expressed excitement for the upcoming season, in which the national retailer intends to expand on this year's achievements, but with more varieties. The technology has already proven effective for other perishable products, including blueberries, the company noted, and is now seen as a “game changer for cherry preservation.”
“Another opportunity we see is for growers to harvest before climatic events such as excessive heat and to store before demand,” Lobisser added. “This innovation not only extends the cherry season but also increases market opportunities for growers, packers, shippers, and retailers.”
Source: Asiafruit
Image: RipeLocker
16 May 2025
Cherry growers face a crisis: overproduction, small sizes and poor quality threaten exports to China. Discipline, planning and targeted investments are now essential to produce premium fruit and recover competitiveness in global markets.
27 May 2024
Recent storms have severely damaged crops of the emblematic fruit in the Vignola and Savignano areas. According to the producers, 40% to 50% of the cherry production in the Modena area has been compromised.
06 Nov 2026
A study in three Israeli cherry orchards tests seismic sensors to detect Cerambyx dux larvae, track pest phenology and map infestations. Signals may reveal activity before visible symptoms and help target inspections, but further validation is needed.
06 Nov 2026
In Tasmania, trials by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture show GA₃ increases Lapins cherry firmness by about 20%. Application rate and timing affect fruit size and maturity as researchers examine how to balance quality, harvest timing and late-season markets locally.
