"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.
03 Dec 2025
Fruits of Chile’s Cherry Committee presents a renewed global strategy for 2025, targeting China, USA, India and Korea. Key actions include retail partnerships, consumer education, winter sports marketing, and health-focused campaigns to boost cherry demand and trust.
02 Apr 2024
A severe hailstorm affected some 3,500 hectares of cherry trees in the Extemadura region of Extremadura, Spain. The real tragedy is that not all producers are insured due to the imposition of Agroseguros conditions, according to the Unión de Extremadura.
20 Jan 2026
Chilean Santina cherries have officially been classified as a low glycemic index (GI=39) food. This result opens new doors for nutrition-focused marketing and reinforces cherries' status as a healthy, smart fruit choice for consumers aiming for a balanced and low-GI diet.
20 Jan 2026
China now absorbs 93% of Chile’s cherry exports, making them the country’s second most exported product after copper. Thanks to direct sea routes, improved logistics, and lower prices, Chile is boosting its position as a global leader in agri-food trade with China.
