On Wednesday, May 15, the Casino Monticello became the nerve center of the Chilean cherry industry. More than 800 agricultural professionals took part in the first edition of the MUNDOAGRO Cherry Special Congress, a technical event that captured the attention of growers, technicians, researchers and companies involved in the cherry supply chain.
The event provided a unique platform for professional development and direct discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, thanks to a high-level program consisting of masterclasses and technical forums.
The day began with agronomist Patricio Morales, who shared innovative strategies and practices in his talk “Estrategias y manejos de alto impacto para obtener cerezas de calidad”, focusing on optimizing field production.
He was followed by Juan Hirzel, researcher at INIA and plant nutrition specialist, who explored the importance of micronutrients in fruit quality in his presentation “Nutrición mineral del cerezo, con énfasis en micronutrientes”.
Much anticipation surrounded the masterclass by Professor Gregory Lang of Michigan State University, who presented the most recent developments in mechanization and automation of cherry training and covering systems. His presentation sparked a lively debate on production efficiency and long-term sustainability.
The congress also hosted three technical discussion forums, where experts and attendees debated key topics such as fruit quality, mineral nutrition, and new training systems. These sessions fostered a direct dialogue among stakeholders in the supply chain, helping to strengthen the sector's knowledge network.
With record attendance and a high-profile scientific agenda, the 1st MUNDOAGRO Cherry Special Congress established itself as a new benchmark for the Chilean agricultural community. The event is expected to return in future editions, supporting the growth of a strategic sector for the country's agri-food economy.
Text and image source: mundoagro.cl
12 Aug 2024
There has been a drastic drop in production: hectares abandoned or replaced with other crops due to lack of profitability. Added to this are difficulties in protecting crops from new pests and the increasingly acute shortage of labour.
15 Jan 2025
Thanks to large-scale direct sourcing, JD’s procurement team has reduced the import costs of Chilean cherries, offering consumers prices approximately 15% lower than those on other e-commerce platforms for the same quality and size.
26 Oct 2026
Godolesh, near Elbasan in Albania, is a distinctive cherry-growing area. Its native variety, annual output of around 700 tonnes and sustainable practices support ambitions to reach European markets, from Italy to Germany, building on quality, origin and tradition.
23 Oct 2026
Spring rains in Chile have split early cherries in the north, while damage in O’Higgins, which accounts for over 80% of production, remains marginal so far. Growers are monitoring fungal disease, saturated soils and potential impacts on Chile’s 2026/27 cherry crop.
