British Columbia produces over 90% of Canada’s cherries.
In 2024, the country exported cherries worth more than 12 million dollars (approximately 11 million euros), but extreme weather events can affect production levels. Genome British Columbia funds research collaborations aimed at protecting the future of our food.
According to a statement from the organization, by applying genomic data at the early stages of cherry selection, researchers will help British Columbia growers adapt and remain competitive in a rapidly changing environmental and economic climate.
"Combining genomic tools with growers’ and industry knowledge reduces by years the time needed to develop climate-ready crops," suggests Dr. Federica Di Palma, Chief Scientific Officer of Genome BC.
"These projects will strengthen local food security and ensure a more resilient economy for British Columbia," said Di Palma.
A collaboration between Dr. Letitia Da Ros, research scientist in genomics at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Erin Wallich, intellectual property manager at Summerland Varieties, will use genomics to reduce the 30 years typically required with traditional breeding methods.
The AAFC team will validate new genomic technologies capable of inducing early flowering, which could lead to greater access to new varieties able to adapt to climate change.
"We hope to develop new varieties capable of managing regional stress, including during extreme temperatures," says Dr. Da Ros, "while also working toward staggered fruit production to ensure cherries are available throughout the growing season."
Dozens of cherry varieties grown worldwide "are Canadian intellectual property and generate millions of dollars in royalties each year," Wallich notes.
It is important that these "revenues are reinvested in new technologies, variety development, and commercialization efforts that help maintain British Columbia’s competitive advantage globally."
Opening image source: Stefano Lugli
Knowlton Thomas
Editor-in-Chief of The Midway Advance and Senior Writer at Techcouver
10 Jul 2024
Lorena Pinto pointed out that several trials are being conducted in Chile with Sweet Saretta and Sweet Stephany, 'and the calibre we have seen is above 30 and even 32. Moreover, they are self-fertile, so we have solved the pollination problem'.
16 Apr 2025
The 2025 greenhouse cherry harvest has started in Apulia: unstable weather caused a delay of over a week, but the fruit shows excellent quality, consistent size and good sugar content, with strong demand already seen in early market trends.
05 Mar 2026
Climate variability in high-elevation areas of Utah is affecting sour cherry production, raising double fruit risk and challenging phenological models. The study defines the critical post-harvest window and assesses the reliability of leading bloom prediction systems.
05 Mar 2026
British Columbia produces over 90% of Canada’s cherries and is investing in genomics to tackle extreme weather and global market pressures. New technologies aim to shorten breeding cycles, improve climate resilience, and strengthen competitiveness and the regional economy.
