Sustainability and foreign trade: Cherry Market Network is the new programme for Chilean producers

03 Apr 2024
1705

The Maule and O'Higgins regions account for 82% of cherry exports. The support for producers aims to help them access more demanding markets, particularly China. At Villa El Descanso, in Curicó, the launch of the Cherry Market Network programme was held, a project co-funded by Corfo that aims to sustainably strengthen the region's fruit industry.

This activity marked the beginning of a new phase for regional producers, who will now have a marketing space, facilitating their foreign trade. Thanks to Corfo's support, a series of activities will be implemented that will have a significant impact on the region's economy and development. 

The total area under cherry cultivation in Chile is 63,494 hectares, and the Maule region is the main production centre. Maule is the main exporting region with a volume of 188,806 tonnes, which represents a contribution of 46% of the total. This means a 6 per cent increase over the previous season, thanks to the entry of new orchards.

"We launched in Curicó the prospecting programme for new export markets of fresh fruit for companies with sustainable economic models in the fruit production chain. This instrument is part of the Red Mercado programme, from which more than 10 cherry and apple producers benefit.

The aim is to promote national fruit production in line with sustainable production, contributing to environmental protection.

Furthermore, we are very pleased that many of these producers were previously beneficiaries of a GTT, co-financed by Corfo Maule, where there was accompaniment for more than 3 years for the diagnosis and acquisition of new technologies; now evolving towards this new 'Red Mercado' tool,' said Pablo Elvenberg Aleuy, director (s) of Corfo.

Microclimates from the sea to the mountains

After Maule, the O'Higgins region exports 149,664 tonnes, or 36% of the total export volume. Both regions account for 82% of the export volume, mainly due to their optimal climate for cultivation. 

Added to this is the presence of microclimates that vary from the sea to the mountains, allowing the cultivation of both late and early varieties. Finally, participating small and medium-sized enterprises are looking for opportunities to enter more demanding markets, particularly China, generating and strengthening the export capacities of SMEs supplying fresh fruit.

source: Diario Frutícola


Cherry Times - All rights reserved

What to read next

Which micro-organisms can be found on cherries?

Crop protection Quality

22 Feb 2024

The study aimed to characterise for the first time the culturome at seven different stages of development in cv. Saco. The current investigation has successfully identified a total of twenty-three bacterial strains and twenty-five fungal strains.

Rootstocks modulates the gene expression in sweet cherry crop

Rootstocks

14 Nov 2023

The Tieton/Landing 2 and Tieton/Gisela 6 combinations were used by analysing 4-year-old plants. The PaMYBF gene was identified and it was noted that the expression of PaMYBF was significantly higher in the phloem tissue of the scion when grafted onto the Gisela 6 rootstock.

In evidenza

Controlled atmosphere extends shelf life of sweet cherries: study from Chilean university

Post-harvest​

05 Feb 2026

A research study from the University of Chile investigates how controlled atmosphere storage improves the shelf life of ‘Bing’ and ‘Lapins’ sweet cherries. Results show significant postharvest quality improvements under cold storage and market simulation conditions.

Using precision farming to detect and prevent cherry fruit cracking

Tech management

05 Feb 2026

With precision farming, it's now possible to prevent fruit cracking by optimizing irrigation, monitoring and data collection. Sensors, drones and AI support European growers in improving yield and fruit quality in cherries, grapes, citrus and pomegranates.

Tag Popolari