News about Chile

Chilean cherries face a new challenge: winning over a more demanding Chinese consumer

Consumption

30 Jun 2026

China’s market for Chilean cherries is changing as shoppers prioritize flavor, firmness and food safety over gift purchases. Record exports, tighter standards and wider diversification define the next stage for Chile’s cherry industry after CherryTech 2026 in China.

The main challenge for Chilean cherries: improving productivity to maintain global leadership

Events

30 Jun 2026

At CherryTech 2026, Carlos Tapia outlined the future of Chile’s cherry industry: Chile leads global fresh cherry exports, but the next challenge is to increase productivity, fruit quality, climate adaptation and technical efficiency to protect its global leadership.

The “invisible hand” shakes up the Chilean cherry market

Markets

30 Jun 2026

The 2025-2026 Chilean cherry season marks a turning point for the industry: the market is penalizing low-quality fruit, small sizes and less competitive growers, while rewarding efficiency, stronger varieties and high standards in exports to China.

Technologies in cherry cultivation: the need for data-driven management

Tech management

09 Jun 2026

In Chile’s cherry orchards, the University of O’Higgins combines AI, LoRaWAN sensors, computer vision, hyperspectral imaging and 3D models to estimate yield, fruit size, ripening and microclimates, improving quality, harvest planning and agronomic decisions.

Operation Cherry 30%: the plan to reduce dependence on China

Markets

04 Jun 2026

Chile’s cherry sector must reduce its dependence on China and shift 30% of exports toward new markets. Agronomy, varieties, quality, packaging and commercial strategy are becoming decisive to protect value, competitiveness and the long-term future of the industry.

Lizard skin: how does this condition affect the appearance of the main varieties?

Post-harvest​

01 Jun 2026

Lizard skin in cherries affects fruit appearance during cold storage and export transit. The Chilean study compares varieties, ripening stages and postharvest behavior, identifying the cultivars most exposed to damage, the most tolerant ones and key risks for local exports.

Sweet cherry pollinators: insect behaviour determines pollination efficiency

Tech management

28 May 2026

In conventional sweet cherry orchards in Central Chile, honeybees, bumblebees and other insects differ in their ability to support pollination. The study highlights stigma contact, flower movement and pollinator biodiversity as key factors for more stable and resilient yields.

After 20 years of growth, the global cherry market is entering a transitional phase

Markets

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.

The supply chain must address the requirements relating to cherry shipments to China

Markets

25 May 2026

Chile’s cherry logistics to China face pressure after a 2025-2026 season with above 445,000 tonnes exported and lower-than-expected returns. At the Global Cherry Summit, Frutas de Chile highlights efficiency, cold chain and reliable transit timing for Cherry Express services.

Cherry orchard covers: from a means of protection against rain to a strategic decision for commercial and production stability

Covers

22 May 2026

Cherry orchard covers in Chile no longer protect only against rain: they now regulate microclimate, reduce cracking, improve export quality and fruit condition, supporting more stable economic returns in modern orchards exposed to growing climate risk and market pressure.