Orchard Fruit stands out as an example of scientific leadership, strategic export and premium fruit valorization.
In the agricultural heart of La Almunia de Doña Godina, in Aragón, a family-owned business has managed to turn agricultural challenges into global opportunities. This is Orchard Fruit, led by Menchu Guerrero, an entrepreneur who combines scientific rigor and managerial approach to bring Spanish fruit excellence to the world.
And now, the next chapter speaks Chinese: Aragonese cherries are ready to enter the market of the People’s Republic.
The history of Orchard Fruit began in 1997, with an intuition far from obvious. Menchu Guerrero’s father, coming from a completely different sector, decided to abandon the shoe trade and devote himself to fruit growing, starting with apples.
“We are a first-generation entrepreneurial family who built everything from scratch together with our father,” Guerrero explains. Along with her three brothers, she took part firsthand in the company’s growth, moving from orchards to international markets.
Over time, the company structured itself as a full operator, controlling every phase of the supply chain, from production to export, with a rigorous approach to quality and a strong ability to understand markets.
Unlike many other industry players, Orchard’s international focus did not come by chance, but from a deliberate decision. “Export has deeply shaped our way of operating and thinking,” the CEO emphasizes.
With fruit being perishable and subject to extremely high sanitary standards, working in foreign markets required constant process optimization, controls and strategies. A crucial experience was gained in the United Kingdom, which according to Guerrero represents the highest standard in terms of demands and retail organization.
Not everything worked at first try, though: the company also experimented with organic production, but chose to withdraw when results didn’t meet expectations.
The path to the Chinese market began in 2017, thanks to a first meeting with the Chinese ambassador in Zaragoza. From there, a lengthy technical-administrative process began, culminating in the passing of the strict inspections and audits required by Beijing, achieved in August of this year.
Today, the goal is within reach: the Aragonese cherries of Orchard Fruit will now be marketed in China, a market of enormous potential and steady growth for the fruit industry.
To face this historic step, Guerrero looks at the Chilean model as a benchmark: “Chile is a master of agro-export. It has turned fruit growing into a matter of national identity, with consistent protocols, logistics and branding.”
With a consolidated presence in Europe, America and the Middle East, Orchard Fruit demonstrates how a scientific and entrepreneurial approach can transform local production into global ambassadors of quality.
And as China opens its doors, Menchu Guerrero has no doubts: “Aragonese cherries will get there, that is certain.” A clear vision combining territory, strategy and international ambition.
Source: redaccion.camarazaragoza.com
20 Apr 2026
In 2025, Moldova reached a record in sour cherry exports, surpassing domestic consumption, with 55% of output shipped abroad. Rising prices and lack of irrigation are affecting fruit quality, yields and the overall competitiveness of the national cherry supply chain.
14 Mar 2024
Cherries were sent to several markets around the world, totalling 413,979 tonnes, with the Far East receiving 388,062 tonnes of Chilean cherries. up 1.5% year-on-year. The United States, Latin America and Europe followed.
01 Jul 2026
In Spain, across Valle del Jerte, Aragon and Extremadura, precision irrigation helps sweet cherry trees manage water stress, improving water use, fruit quality, yield per plant and resilience to climate change in Mediterranean mountain orchards and local productivity.
01 Jul 2026
UNITEC CHERRY VISION and UNIQ CHERRY technologies support packing houses in Spain, from Aragon to Extremadura, in sorting cherries by quality, sugar level and defects, improving efficiency, profitability and commercial value across a demanding fresh fruit market today.
