Thanks to protection systems against adverse weather conditions, the first Royal Tioga cherries are already reaching the shelves. This early production gives growers a significant economic advantage, with markedly higher prices at the start of the season.
This text corresponds to part of the transcript of the report above. Click on the video to watch it in full.
These are the first cherries of the season, a variety called Royal Tioga. The secret behind this early harvest: the cherry trees are protected from wind and bad weather, climatic factors that can be devastating for this fruit. Patrick Bolfa, orchard grower at Reart Vallée, explains: “Every year there was a climatic risk. That is why shade nets are useful, because they protect against rain, but also against wind.”
Cherry trees laden with fruit as early as April 14. Production amounts to around 50 tonnes. This earliness allows the company to achieve significant margins. “Producing early is positive because there are fewer operators on the market, so there is less competition. This allows us to obtain higher prices. At the moment, for example, we can sell cherries at 14 or 12 euros per kilo, while later on we will sell them at 6 or 5 euros per kilo. So it is much more advantageous to have them at this time of the season,” says Franck Bolfa, orchard grower.
Source: www.franceinfo.fr
Image source: Stefano Lugli
27 Feb 2026
CITA conducted a field trial in Aragon, Spain, evaluating assisted cherry pollination using external pollen supplied by Zimex. The study assessed fruit set, pollen vitality and fertility in Albalate de Cinca highlighting yield performance, fruit quality and cold chain management.
08 Jan 2025
During the Cherry Expo, organized by the University of Talca and ANA Chile, innovative varieties were presented to meet the needs of demanding consumers and unique logistics, marked by the distance from the Asian market.
03 Jul 2026
Research in Moldova on sweet cherry shows Thin spindle improves yield, fruit quality and canopy management in high-density orchards on Gisela 6, while Improved thin spindle boosts large premium fruit, uniformity and commercial value for modern intensive cherry production.
03 Jul 2026
Chilean cherries 2025/26 face a more saturated China market, flat FOB prices and rising pressure on quality, timing and destinations. Diversification toward the United States and other markets is becoming crucial to protect Chile’s profitability and fruit exports now.
