"The super millionaire fruits of the Alma Mater": this is how Corriere della Sera headlined years ago when announcing the results obtained by researchers from the Department of Agri-food Sciences and Technologies of the University of Bologna on the cherry tree genetic improvement project: the seven Sweet® sisters, the new varieties named after the children or loved ones of their inventors.
A team led by Stefano Lugli who, starting from old indigenous varieties, the famous Duroni di Vignola, bearers of valuable traits such as sweetness, texture and aroma, has been able to combine these virtues with others, such as beauty, size and productivity, taking them from varieties of American origin.
Below, the report by Bettina Riedel, variety manager of UNIBO, presented at the seminar on cherry variety innovation at Macfrut 2023. Precisely at Macfrut, ten years ago, the Sweet® varieties made their debut winning, among others, the Oscar prize for innovation.
27 May 2026
Uzbekistan and FAO strengthen sustainable sweet cherry value chain through OCOP and FAO-China South-South Cooperation, focusing on innovation, traceability, logistics, lower post-harvest losses and international market access to support rural incomes and export growth now.
26 May 2026
The global fresh cherry market is entering a transition after 20 years of growth. Chile and China remain central, while the United States, Brazil, Southeast Asia and Europe face new challenges in quality, logistics, climate risk and profitability for growers and exporters.
06 Oct 2026
Extremadura is raising agricultural insurance subsidies in 2026: general support rises from 40% to 45%, while help for cherry growers increases from 60% to 75%. The new rates apply from 1 January, with refunds for eligible policies already taken out earlier in the year.
06 Oct 2026
Chile’s processed fruit and vegetable exports rose 7% in January-August 2026, totalling US$2.271 billion. Frozen products led growth, with raspberry export value up 63% and cherries up 51%, supported by higher volumes and prices and a broader international market reach.
