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Megatunnel: a new technology for early and protected cherry production

Covers

20 Oct 2026

MSC Invernaderos’ Megatúnel protects cherries and berries from rain and hail. According to the company and Frutotech, it brings early cherry harvests forward by about 15 days, using Gothic arches and ventilation to manage growing conditions without energy-heavy heating.

Temperature and fruit rots: a dynamic model to predict sweet cherry shelf life

Post-harvest​

20 Oct 2026

A dynamic predictive model estimates fungal growth in sweet cherries as temperatures change. Validated using experimental temperature profiles, it could support cold chain management and shelf life estimation, although further testing in commercial conditions is needed.

A warm, rainy spring can put a strain on cherry orchards

Tech management

20 Oct 2026

Rain and waterlogging threaten cherry orchards in Chile, causing root stress, uneven flowering and fruit cracking. INIA Quilamapu explains how drainage, nutrition and orchard management can help limit damage, protect fruit quality and improve postharvest storage life.

Record global cherry harvest: the challenge facing Argentine Patagonia

Production

19 Oct 2026

Global cherry production is forecast to reach a record 5.4 million tonnes in 2026/27 up by 17%, according to the USDA. Rising Chilean exports and Chinese imports point to stronger competition for Argentina’s Patagonia during the shared Southern Hemisphere export season.

Cherry production in South Africa continues to rise thanks to growth in the domestic market

Production

19 Oct 2026

South African cherries turn to the domestic market as production rises 17% in 2024/25 and export prices fall 27%. Local demand helps sustain the value of the industry. A look at leading varieties, planted areas and the main destinations for South African cherry exports.

How to prevent cracking in cherry wood: advice from an expert

Tech management

16 Oct 2026

Rain in Chile threatens cherry quality as harvest approaches. The article outlines strategies to prevent fruit cracking and manage Botrytis, covering protective biofilms, chloride applications, irrigation management and timely treatments during ripening and harvest.

The ‘Ciliegia delle Colline Veronesi’ is getting ever closer to PGI status

Specialties

16 Oct 2026

Ciliegia delle Colline Veronesi moves towards PGI status after a successful public hearing on its production rules. The area spans 54 municipalities, over 1,200 hectares and more than 2,300 farms. Next come national procedures and EU scrutiny to protect local producers.

Irrigation and soil management influence cold hardiness in sweet cherry

Tech management

16 Oct 2026

A two-season study in British Columbia, Canada, links drip irrigation to greater cold hardiness in Skeena sweet cherry flower buds. Compost and woodchip mulch did not delay autumn acclimation, offering new insights into irrigation, soil management and frost tolerance.

Cherry Times Magazine 2026: the fourth edition, dedicated to cherry cultivation worldwide, is now online

Events

15 Oct 2026

Cherry Times Magazine 2026 explores innovation, sustainability and cherry markets in its fourth edition. Presented at Fruit Attraction in Madrid, it looks ahead to Fruit Logistica 2027 in Berlin, examining the challenges and future of cherry production around the world.

Precision farming: Variable-rate irrigation in sweet cherry

Tech management

15 Oct 2026

A study in a commercial cherry orchard in Turkey shows that variable-rate irrigation, supported by satellite imagery and soil moisture monitoring, can cut irrigation water use by up to 49% while maintaining marketable yields and fruit quality, even in very hot weather.