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2026 European sour cherry harvest forecast

Production

25 Jun 2026

Hungary’s 2026 sour cherry crop is forecast to fall 20-30% to about 30,000 tonnes. Near-empty stocks and stronger harvests in Turkey, Serbia and Poland are reshaping prices, demand and the outlook for Europe’s processing market across the European fruit industry today.

Hyperspectral imaging enables accurate detection of cherry pits

Post-harvest​

24 Jun 2026

At Michigan State University in the USA, SWIR hyperspectral imaging detects pits in cherries intended for industrial processing with up to 100% accuracy. The non-destructive method supports faster, more reliable quality control on modern automated production lines.

Everything is going well for Tasmanian cherry exporters

Markets

24 Jun 2026

Tasmania’s 2025-26 cherry exports reached nearly $70 million, with more than 2,740 tonnes shipped overseas. Hong Kong regained the top spot, while strong quality, higher unit prices and Asian demand strengthened the state’s cherry industry and global market position.

Calcium and foliar biostimulants: a synergistic strategy to reduce fruit cracking and enhance sweet cherry quality

Tech management

23 Jun 2026

The study on 0900 Ziraat sweet cherries shows that calcium chloride, glycine betaine and chitosan can reduce fruit cracking to 1.6%, while improving resistance, nutritional quality, antioxidant activity and pre-harvest fruit stability under orchard conditions in trials.

The Cereza Jerte PDO is launching the certification process for Picota cherries, with a projected production of 3,500 tonnes

Specialties

23 Jun 2026

The first PDO picota cherries from Valle del Jerte have received seasonal certification. In Extremadura, the campaign begins with strong prospects for quality and volume, despite rain damage affecting some cherry varieties protected by the Cereza del Jerte PDO label.

Cherry trees: the new challenge is to try to automate the covering process

Covers

23 Jun 2026

Brunella Morandi examines the future of cherry growing in Emilia-Romagna and the United States: protective covers against cracking and Drosophila, variety and rootstock choices, mechanized orchards, harvesting robots and smarter irrigation for climate resilience today.

Italian Cherry Competition: the old ‘Spernocchia’ and the new ‘Sweet Saretta’ take the top prizes

Varieties

22 Jun 2026

The 29th Italian Cherries National Competition concluded in Bracigliano, honoring Spernocchia cherries from Bracigliano Natura and Alfonso Ferrentino, Sweet Saretta from Quartieri Farm, and Ferrovia from Rosanna Gullo for quality, flavor and deep territorial identity.

Cherry Growers Australia is launching its national strategy at the Cherry 2026 conference in Adelaide

Production

22 Jun 2026

Cherry Growers Australia unveils its 2025-2030 Strategic Plan in Adelaide at the Cherry 2026 conference. The roadmap aims to lift domestic consumption and exports, improve quality, innovation and sustainability, and unite Australian growers around shared priorities.

How do bacteria in the rhizosphere affect the root development of Gisela 6?

Rootstocks

19 Jun 2026

PGPR applied to Gisela 6 rootstock improve rhizosphere fertility, nutrition and root development in sweet cherry. Co-inoculation with Pantoea ananatis D1-28 and Bacillus aryabhattai LAD emerges as a sustainable strategy for efficient roots and more vigorous plants.

Safeguarding the opportunities offered by early-season cherries: striking a balance between high commercial value and climate risk

Varieties

19 Jun 2026

Early cherries in California offer strong market potential for growers, but success depends on adapted genetics, protected agriculture and climate risk management to secure fruit quality, consistency and profitability in the San Joaquin Valley, even in unstable seasons.