The Apulian cherry sector is today in a clearly vulnerable position, characterised by a delay in varietal innovation and the presence of antiquated plants, whose product often does not fully reflect the needs of the current market.
The recent National Conference on the cherry tree in Sammichele di Bari highlighted the criticalities of the local cherry sector, while recognising the competitive potential of the area's cherries, capable of competing with more advanced markets such as that of Vignola, despite a significantly smaller cultivated surface.
The event marked a turning point for the entire supply chain, offering an opportunity for reflection and comparison between the various actors involved. Mayor Lorenzo Netti emphasised the strategic importance of the cherry as a symbol of the territory, not only economically but also culturally. This initiative, held in April in view of the next harvest, provided a space to evaluate the future path of the supply chain.
During the conference, several crucial issues emerged. Luca Fortunato highlighted the urgent need for varietal innovation, emphasising that it is no longer a choice, but an unavoidable necessity. He also mentioned varietal standardisation as a tool to ensure better product identification on the market.
At the same time, new cultivation strategies were discussed, including the use of covers to meet the challenges of climate change and ensure consistent product quality. Stefano Borraci emphasised the importance of investments in these technologies, while Massimiliano Del Core highlighted the importance of aggregation among producers to successfully face future challenges.
Donato Di Palma reiterated the importance of preserving the distinctive characteristics of native varieties to remain competitive in the markets, citing the Ferrovia variety as an example.
Finally, the debate also involved the political sphere, with Francesco Paolicelli announcing measures to incentivise varietal innovation and the use of covers in cherry cultivation, with the aim of increasing disease resistance and improving productivity. In summary, the conference was an important opportunity to outline the future of the cherry sector, focusing on varietal innovation, new cultivation strategies and the political support needed to meet the challenges of the sector.
Source: FoglieTv
Image: BariLive.it
24 Nov 2025
A field trial in Piedmont (Italy) confirms that Prohexadione-Ca reduces vegetative growth in Tip Top cherry trees and significantly increases fruit set, commercial yield, red skin coloration, and antioxidant content, improving orchard efficiency with Gisela 6 rootstock.
18 Mar 2025
The technical seminar held in Chile brought together experts and growers to discuss post-harvest management strategies for cherry trees and to learn about innovations in high-tech fertilisers for crop optimisation.
10 Feb 2026
Climate change is reducing cherry volumes in Chile, pushing growers and researchers to rethink varieties, orchard management and postharvest strategies. New predictive models aim to safeguard quality and exports to the Chinese market worldwide globally.
10 Feb 2026
Low temperature storage extends the shelf life of sweet cherries but may induce pulp lignification. A study on the Meizao cultivar examines structural, biochemical and molecular changes affecting fruit firmness, texture, quality and consumer acceptance during post-harvest storage
