Argentine cherries face global challenge with quality-driven strategy from Patagonia

Markets

24 Sep 2025

Patagonia’s Argentine cherry growers challenge Chile’s dominance with quality, air freight exports and new markets. Without trade deals and amid rising domestic costs, competitiveness remains fragile, yet differentiation seeks to highlight the strength of the Patagonia brand.

Ovalle doubles cherry production and leads the early Chinese market

Production

24 Sep 2025

In northern Chile, Ovalle is set to double its cherry production thanks to a favorable winter and new orchards coming into play. Over 2,000 tons are expected, with air shipments to China starting in week 42, kicking off the season with early, premium-quality fruit.

Cherries under cover: retractable roofs shield orchards from extreme weather

Covers

23 Sep 2025

Retractable roof systems like AutoDry™ are being tested in Canada and Australia to protect orchards—especially cherries—from rain and heat. These solutions aim to boost fruit quality, yields, and profits, helping growers recover from years of climate-related losses.

The cherry tree in Switzerland: tradition, biodiversity and regional food

Specialties

23 Sep 2025

The cherry tree in Switzerland is a true cultural and natural icon. From the wild varieties in Ticino to the renowned orchards of Zug, it offers delicious fruits, supports biodiversity, and plays an essential role in agriculture, gastronomy, and climate resilience.

Tree training in narrow orchard systems: the NOS project in Australia

Planting systems

23 Sep 2025

Advanced tree training techniques in narrow orchard systems: shoot removal, horizontal cordons and vertical leaders for cherry, plum, apple, pear and nectarine. The NOS project operates in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and NSW with multiple trial sites.

China opens to Jerte cherries: Spanish exports set to take off

Markets

22 Sep 2025

China opens its doors to Jerte cherries after ten years of negotiations. First shipments will go by air to avoid maritime delays. A new market for Extremadura’s fruit exports, facing strict protocols but also unlocking significant opportunities in the global cherry trade.

Pitless cherries: Sun World and Pairwise join forces to revolutionize the fruit sector

Breeding

22 Sep 2025

Sun World and Pairwise announce a joint venture to develop the first pitless cherry. By combining advanced genetics with innovative breeding technology, the project aims to deliver premium fruit that is more sustainable, flavorful, and convenient for consumers worldwide.

Chile: Free Insurance Against Fruit Fly and Climate Risks for Orchards

Crop protection

19 Sep 2025

In Chile, Agroseguros offers 100% subsidized insurance against fruit fly outbreaks for farms up to 50 hectares, with payments made within 10 days. Additional coverage for climate risks and wildfires is also available, benefiting over 80,000 fruit producers.

How 1-MCP extends sweet cherry shelf life: tests on Kordia and Regina in Poland

Post-harvest​

18 Sep 2025

A recent study in Poland confirms the effectiveness of 1-MCP in extending sweet cherry shelf life. The treatment reduces weight loss and preserves visual and nutritional quality. Promising results for Kordia and Regina varieties after 21 days in cold storage.

Cherries and health: the fruit that helps prevent diabetes, stroke and heart disease

Health

18 Sep 2025

New research shows that cherries, rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, can lower the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Including them daily supports cardiovascular health, blood sugar regulation and overall wellbeing.

Focus On

Cherry Times welcomes Jesús Alonso as a member of the technical scientific committee

Post-harvest​

08 Apr 2025

Dr. Jesús Alonso, postharvest scientist at CSIC, joins the Cherry Times technical scientific commitee. With deep expertise in cherry quality, storage technologies, and sustainable solutions, he supports innovation and technical development across the entire cherry supply chain.

Varietal innovation, patents and brand strategies, the winning trio for the modern cherry industry

Varieties

30 Jan 2025

For an in-depth look at the topics of varietal innovation and modern commercial development strategies for new cherry varieties, Stefano Lugli of Cherry Times interviewed James Calissi, owner of Calissi Farm, a company specialising in nursery and management of new varieties.

All the best of Cherry Times: highlights of 2024

Events

31 Dec 2024

The numbers speak for themselves: thanks to your interest, our analyses and in-depth articles have achieved extraordinary results. This article is dedicated to the content you loved the most: from the most thorough analyses to thematic insights.

CS Laimburg: the new cherry orchards will be 2D systems and mechanised

Events

24 Jun 2024

On Thursday, 20 June, a training meeting was held for farmers and technicians during which experts from CS Laimburg presented the results of the latest ongoing trials focusing on planting systems and techniques for managing cerasites.

Costs and profitability of cherry growing at different planting densities

Tech management

11 Jun 2024

The study compared 3 Grace Star plants with increasing density (low, medium and high), without cover, between the provinces of Modena and Forlì-Cesena. As the data show, the cherry tree in Emilia-Romagna is still a profitable investment.

Problems and prospects for cherry growing in northern Italy: -15% of production in 15 years

Quality

15 May 2024

Italy continues to lose positions in the ranking of the largest cherry producers in the world. Currently, the beautiful country is in seventh place, surpassed by Spain and chased by Greece. In just three five-year periods, national production has dropped by 15%.

How to produce quality cherries? The answer from the International Congress at Macfrut 2024

Quality

14 May 2024

Biosolutions can become a fundamental "pivot" for setting innovative technical lines worldwide. May 9th within Macfrut 2024 the International Congress titled: "Which biosolutions for quality cherries?" took place. Summaries of the presentations will be published on Cherry Times.

Growth in world trade over the last ten years shows over 900,000 tonnes and +266% growth

Markets

24 Apr 2024

From 2013 to 2022, world production increased from 2.3 to 2.75 million tonnes, while trade flows rose from 350,000 to 940,000 tonnes, an increase of 266%. The value of traded goods reached a record 4.3 billion euro.

The evolution of cherry production over the last 15 years

Production

15 Apr 2024

World supply rose from 1.85 to 2.75 million tonnes from 2008 to 2022, an increase of about 50%. The geography of world supply has not changed substantially over the past 15 years, although a concentration in a few countries can be observed.

Companies

Vivai Fortunato revives cherry farming in Puglia with a rootstock trial field

Nurseries

11 Jun 2025

Vivai Fortunato is investing in Mediterranean cherry farming with an innovative rootstock trial field in Puglia. The project aims to offer concrete solutions to local and international growers, tackling climate change and boosting cherry cultivation.

Meda™: new early and intermediate cherry varieties in Europe

Varieties

04 Feb 2025

Meda™ varieties have been evaluated in Europe for three seasons now. All have been selected with a minimum of 35-40 days post-harvest. Meda™'s is the only breeding programme that has used postharvest as a selection filter.

Salvi Vivai: new intensive cherry orchards with excellent production

Varieties

02 Oct 2024

Significant data have been obtained in intensive French cherry orchards using cherry trees produced by Salvi Vivai (some of them from the Sweet series and the Marysa variety, all coming from the research program of University of Bologna).

Giacovelli: new varieties and zero residue cherries

Markets Production

27 Apr 2023

With a turnover of over 60 million euro, Giacovelli srl is one of the leading producers and marketers of fruit and vegetables in Apulia. Its passion and specialisation for cherries makes it one of Italy's leading producers of the red summer fruit.