Optimization of drying methods for sweet cherries to maximize quality, nutrients, and color

Processed

13 Feb 2026

A joint study by Turkish institutes and the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (Pakistan) compares three sweet cherry drying technologies: MWD, MWHAD and Solar Tunnel Drying. Drying time, color, sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds were evaluated for quality.

Cherries and conomic sustainability: the new frontier of modern orchards

Production

13 Feb 2026

In modern cherry orchards, economic sustainability is now essential. From varietal selection to season management, including yield, storage and packhouse efficiency, genetics and operational performance drive profitability across the global cherry supply chain.

Cherry cracking: Hannover study rejects Parka® rain protection claims

Crop protection

12 Feb 2026

A University of Hannover study shows that Parka®, a fatty-acid-based cuticle supplement, does not reduce rain-induced cherry cracking. Trials on six cultivars found no effect on cuticle mass, elasticity or fruit water uptake under simulated rainfall conditions.

Prunus Genetics: 25 years of data transform modern breeding

Breeding

12 Feb 2026

A 25-year genetic data analysis from the Genome Database for Rosaceae identifies 16 QTL hotspots and 17 syntenic regions across Prunus species. The findings strengthen breeding strategies for peach, sweet cherry and almond, improving fruit quality, yield and disease resistance.

Cherries in Peru will be a niche crop, highly technical and with potentially high returns.

Production

12 Feb 2026

Peru is testing commercial cherry production in highland regions such as Arequipa, Junín and Cajamarca, targeting the Chinese market and leveraging the Chancay mega port. First export volumes may arrive in 2026, but the crop remains highly technical and climate-sensitive.

New solutions from China to combat black rot caused by Alternaria in sweet cherries 

Post-harvest​

11 Feb 2026

A Chinese study shows the effectiveness of 5-aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride against sweet cherry black rot, inhibiting Alternaria alternata and improving postharvest fruit quality. An innovative strategy for food safety and sustainable crop protection.

Post-harvest sweet cherry management: pruning, irrigation and reserves

Tech management

11 Feb 2026

Post-harvest sweet cherry management is a key phase for reserve accumulation, flower bud differentiation and future yield. In Chile, summer pruning, irrigation, nutrition and stress control influence vegetative balance, fruit quality and long-term orchard performance.

Climate change reshapes Chilean cherry production strategies

Events

10 Feb 2026

Climate change is reducing cherry volumes in Chile, pushing growers and researchers to rethink varieties, orchard management and postharvest strategies. New predictive models aim to safeguard quality and exports to the Chinese market worldwide globally.

Low temperatures induce lignin biosynthesis in sweet cherries during postharvest

Post-harvest​

10 Feb 2026

Low temperature storage extends the shelf life of sweet cherries but may induce pulp lignification. A study on the Meizao cultivar examines structural, biochemical and molecular changes affecting fruit firmness, texture, quality and consumer acceptance during post-harvest storage

Pseudomonas and wood diseases: emerging threats for cherry orchards

Crop protection

10 Feb 2026

I casi di morte improvvisa nei ceraseti cileni evidenziano l’impatto dello Pseudomonas syringae e delle malattie del legno. Stress climatico, gelate e gestione post-raccolta stanno ridefinendo le dinamiche delle malattie e le strategie di protezione dei frutteti.

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

Valente Pali: support and protection to guarantee a generous, high-quality harvest

Covers

07 Nov 2025

ValenteProtect© systems provide protection from rain, hail and insects, helping cherry growers secure abundant, healthy and market-ready harvests. Rain, Multishield and Insect Net systems ensure complete seasonal protection for top-quality yields.

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.