With the inaugural harvest in week 42, the Chilean cherry season officially kicks off in Norte Chico, led by a clear protagonist: the Nimba cv. variety. The first step was taken by Agrícola La Quiroga, at its field in Cerrillos de Tamaya, Ovalle, where the first cherries were harvested without plastic covers, on trees planted in 2021.
Field data confirm the excellent performance of this variety: over 80% of the fruit exceeds 28 mm, with a distribution favoring calibers 30–32 mm, and an average of 70 Durofel points in firmness, while Brix levels range between 16 and 17. This result highlights not only the commercial potential of the variety but also its adaptability to the climatic conditions of northern Chile.
According to A.N.A. Chile, Nimba stands out for its low chilling requirement, early entry into production, and very high productive potential. Harvesting takes place between 16 and 23 days before the Santina variety, making it a strategic choice to anticipate commercial windows and capture markets at favorable times.
This early start has a domino effect across the entire chain of production and export: from harvesting and pre-cooling schedules to export bookings, with the goal of avoiding saturation during the peak production periods from the country’s central-southern regions and ensuring better returns.
For the companies involved, the immediate challenges include timely pre-cooling, careful management of crop load, irrigation in response to high temperatures, and coordinated logistics to preserve product quality until it reaches its final destination.
The debut of the Chilean season in week 42 marks a significant milestone for fruit growing in Norte Chico, positioning it as a key area for ultra-early varieties. The case of Nimba cv. not only inaugurates the season but also strengthens the strategic role of the north in Chile’s cherry production, offering new opportunities for growers and the entire export chain.
Source: www.diariofruticola.cl
Image source: Graeb
13 Dec 2024
This initiative funded the campaign “Las Insuperables del Jerte.” and contributed to the dissemination through various channels of the spot “Ciliegie o Picotas?”, focused on the differentiation of cherry varieties produced in the Jerte Valley and protected by the DOP Cereza del J
09 Jul 2026
In the Pacific Northwest, the 2026 cherry harvest is two weeks early, but weak grower prices, high costs and tighter margins are weighing on producers. Tim Delbridge highlights a wider June gap between advertised retail prices and shipping point prices for cherries today.
10 Jul 2026
Moldova’s late-season sweet cherries are entering peak sales with rising prices, export-grade quality and fresh opportunities across European markets. Weather delays, regional competition and selective demand are shaping a crucial July for growers and traders alike.
10 Jul 2026
The global cherry market in 2026 is shaped by larger crops, lower prices and sharp regional differences. From Italy to China, weather, quality, production, trade strategies and exports are redefining the balance of the international cherry season in key markets worldwide.
