COT International is a company engaged in the research, creation and selection of new fruit varieties. Internationally known for the apricot varieties sold under the COT brand name, the French company has been directing its interests in cherry varietal innovation for some years now.
At first, since 2010, as exclusive publishers of cherry varieties obtained from the SMS Unlimited (California, USA) breeding programme: Nimba*, Pacific Red*, Frisco*, Rocket* and the latest novelty Epick 16*.
Subsequently, since 2012, with its own breeding programme in Nimes, southern France. From this project, the new cherry variety Sun Pop* was obtained and licensed in 2022.
Below is the report by Marie-Laure Eteve, CEO and Research Director of COT International, presented at the workshop on cherry variety innovation at Macfrut 2023.
28 Feb 2024
Between the years 2022 and 2023, in the north of Moldova, the impact of the cultivation system of sweet cherry trees (Prunusavium L.) of the Kordia, Regina, Summit, Sweet Valina, Sweet Stefanny, Sweet Saretta and Marysa varieties, grafted on Gisela 6, which were planted in 2018.
21 May 2025
The 2024/25 Chilean cherry season sees FOB returns drop by 40%, reaching just over $1.8 billion despite a record production of 125 million boxes. China remains the key destination, but a new strategy is essential to maintain value and strengthen global market positioning.
02 Oct 2026
In Coquimbo, Chile, the cherry harvest could begin between October 10 and 15, one of the earliest dates ever recorded in the region. Production is expected to fall by 50%, while larger fruit, higher sugar levels and access to new markets could support growers this season.
02 Oct 2026
In New Zealand, real-time monitoring with IoT sensors helps cherry growers track temperature and humidity during transport, prevent spoilage, reduce food waste and preserve quality and freshness from the orchard to the market throughout the entire cold-chain journey.
