News about Press Review

The competitiveness of cherries on international markets will increasingly depend on the efficiency of refrigerated logistics

Post-harvest​

01 Oct 2026

Chile’s 2026/27 cherry season is projected at 132 million boxes. With volumes rising and China still the key market, refrigerated transport, cold chain management, traceability and advance logistics planning will be crucial to protect quality, timing and profitability.

Malic acid promotes fruit cracking in cherry trees

Tech management

30 Sep 2026

A study from Hannover sheds new light on sweet cherry cracking: malic acid in cherry juice can trigger rapid skin splitting even with limited water uptake, linking the bursting of epidermal cells to the development of visible cracks across the fruit skin in orchards.

Technology transfer is essential for improving the yields and quality of cherry orchards

Tech management

24 Sep 2026

In Coltauco, a one-hectare Santina cherry orchard supported by the INDAP-AFIPA project produced nearly 8,000 kilos last season, with 95% destined for export. The program focuses on crop protection, irrigation, technology, farmer training and good agricultural practices.

The Chinese market is opening up to South African cherries

Markets

17 Sep 2026

The new protocol opens China to South African cherries from the 2026/27 season. With 819 hectares planted, rising exports and a 2-3 week window before Chilean peak volumes, South Africa is targeting zero-tariff access, new investment and a stronger presence across Asia.

Significant investment to revive the cultivation of Croatian marasca cherries

Specialties

16 Sep 2026

Zadar County is preparing a €250,000 programme to expand Marasca cherry orchards in Dalmatia, supporting new plantings, irrigation and soil preparation, with funding distributed through towns and municipalities between 2027 and 2029 to support local growers in Dalmatia.

A new discovery from the University of Chile for controlling grey mould in cherries

Crop protection

15 Sep 2026

University of Chile researchers identified a Streptomyces strain from the Atacama Desert and Trench able to inhibit Botrytis cinerea. The FONDEF project with AgroFresh is now moving into direct fruit trials and edible postharvest coatings for fresh Chile export produce.

Jerte Valley: biotechnology driving innovation in cherry varieties

Breeding

14 Sep 2026

In Spain’s Jerte Valley, genomic selection is speeding up cherry breeding: Cicytex and Agrupación de Cooperativas Valle del Jerte will work through 2030 on 1,000 trees and around 110 varieties to identify fruit quality, ripening and market suitability earlier using DNA.

Due to the drought, the size of Czech cherries has halved

Quality

10 Sep 2026

Drought and high temperatures cut the cherry harvest in the Czech Republic: at Mendel University in Brno, production fell by 16% and some fruit was up to half its usual size, making irrigation increasingly crucial for maintaining stable cherry production in coming year.

Wild cherries: the Melinda-VIP partnership is bearing fruit

Markets

09 Sep 2026

The first mountain cherry season shared by Melinda and VIP ended on a positive note: pooled volumes, processing and coordinated marketing improved efficiency, supported growers’ margins and strengthened the competitiveness of the cherry supply chain during a challenging market se

The reduction in transit times to China will boost exports of Peruvian cherries

Markets

07 Sep 2026

Chancay Port cuts transit to China to 21-23 days, creating new prospects for Peruvian cherries. Peru is focusing on low-chill varieties, Andean growing areas and postharvest technologies to build a competitive position in the expanding global fresh cherry market.