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.
11 Dec 2023
At Dresden-Pillnitz interspecific crosses and backcrosses have been carried out over the last 20 years. The aims of this breeding program are to develop genotypes with new fruit characteristics and a higher level of resistance to biotic and abiotic stress.
14 Jul 2023
In November 2022, TOMRA Food and ICOEL S.r.l. reached an agreement that defines ICOEL as TOMRA Food's integrated business partner for Europe and preferred partner for cherry technologies in Latin America.
20 Feb 2026
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture (Canada) publishes a technical guide on the cultivation and pruning of stone and pome fruit trees. Focus on peach, plum, sweet cherry and pear trees, with guidance on work efficiency, crop load management and disease control.
20 Feb 2026
A Bulgarian study compares the SLECI system with drip irrigation in sweet cherry orchards. Water use reduced up to 14 times with similar yields and higher irrigation water productivity. A sustainable solution for drought-prone areas with limited energy resources.
