PMGC the new Chilean cherry breeding project
19 May 2023
For Macfrut 2023 it was an honour to host Prof. Marlene Ayala of the Catholic University of Chile, the head of the main genetic improvement project for cherries started in 2010 in Chile..
A season of revival for the red queen of Vicenza, blending certified quality and enduring tradition.
After years marked by poor harvests and unstable weather, Marostica PGI Cherry producers are smiling again. The 2025 season shows a strong recovery: +25% compared to 2024, with excellent fruit in terms of flavor, juiciness, and size.
The turnaround is also thanks to favorable weather conditions during the crucial harvest weeks.
Recovery after a rough start
The early varieties, damaged by heavy rains in early May, raised fears of yet another poor season. But the return of stable weather changed the outlook.
Now, the orchards of Marostica and its surroundings are in full production, and results are promising—just as the 25th anniversary of the PGI recognition in Italy (2000) and the subsequent European recognition (2001) is being celebrated.
Giuseppe Zuech, president of the Protection Consortium, is optimistic about the season: “The market is responding well, and the quality is truly high. We are working to make up for the losses of 2024 and hope to close with a clearly improved balance.”
Fluctuating volumes, but consistent quality
Over the past five years, production has clearly shown the impact of the climate crisis on the sector:
- 2020: 48,086 kg
- 2021: 23,476.10 kg
- 2022: 40,904.35 kg
- 2023: 30,313.59 kg
- 2024: only 15,717.13 kg, just above the 13,086 kg recorded in 2019, the worst year ever.
But 2025 looks set to reverse the trend. Quality remains the strong point of a product that was the first Italian cherry to obtain PGI status—a symbol of the region’s agricultural identity.
The sweetness of tradition
The certified supply chain now includes 130 operators, including growers, packers, and processors. Most of the harvest goes to the fresh market, but there’s a growing range of processed products like jams, preserved fruits, and artisanal sweets.
A highlight among the novelties is the dessert “La Pèca del Salbaneo,” launched in 2023: a gastronomic tribute combining Marostica PGI Cherry with Torcolato DOC Breganze wine and EVO oil from the Pedemontana del Grappa Cooperative, representing nearly 500 olive growers.
Big celebration in Marostica
The highlight of the season will be the 81st Marostica PGI Cherry Festival, scheduled for Sunday, May 25 in Marostica. In Piazza Castello: stands from 8:30 a.m., producer awards at 11:30 a.m., and at 4:30 p.m., the flag-wavers show from the famous Living Chess Game.
The program also includes workshops, themed menus, photo hunts, and cherry orchard walks. But the festival spans the whole region: after the “Sandra Cherry Festival” in Pianezze, the grand finale will be held on May 31 and June 1 in Colceresa with the event “PGI Cherry in Celebration.”
A look to the future
The 2025 cherry season marks a turning point for the sector. If the weather remains favorable through mid-June, the forecasts could become even more positive.
Meanwhile, producers and institutions are working to further enhance the value of Marostica PGI Cherry as a symbol of Veneto’s agricultural and culinary heritage.
Source text and images: corriereortofrutticolo.it
