The cherry season had it all, starting with the good news for the producers in the earliest areas of Chile, who obtained the highest prices per kilo in the last five seasons, although the campaign began with a lot of uncertainty due to the problems of logistics suffered in the previous season, which caused long periods of storage of the fruit with its consequent deterioration as a result.

big challenges

On the other hand, the Chinese New Year, when it fell on January 22, accelerated all the processes, because it "got ahead" compared to other years. Let's not forget that this Chinese holiday is governed by the moon and can happen on any date between January 21 and February 20, so this year was the earliest of the last few seasons.

The foregoing, added to the higher production compared to the previous campaign, which was around 20%, built a scenario of important challenges, which will be dealt with and analyzed in depth in the International Blueberries & Cherries Seminar to be held 13 Thursday April in the Conference Center of the Monticello Hotel.

International Blueberries & Cherries Seminar

To face these challenges, the industry prepared itself and faced these two scenarios. Management was carried out to advance the harvest dates, and although the cold spring weather caused fewer degree days to accumulate, the harvests were also brought forward, especially in late fruit. In the logistical aspect, although ocean freight rates remained high, there were no container availability problems and greater availability of ocean transportation could be counted on. In the case of arrival at destination, the ability to clear the fruit through customs was faster and more efficient, so the cherries could be sent to various ports in China, not just concentrating on Guangzhou or Shanghai.

chinese market

The Chinese market is clearly the main destination for Chilean cherries, which implies multiple challenges for the Chilean industry in maintaining the quality of the fruit until the final consumer. There are several important parameters that must be taken care of and they can be ordered by the way they have priority, that is to say: Green pedicels, without rot, minimal mechanical damage, firm fruit, good flavor and uniformity of size and color, mainly.

All aspects of the industry are important in this objective, but the adequate harvest and a good post-harvest are essential, so we asked the renowned expert Jessica Rodríguez:

Does the industry have sufficient postharvest technology?

– Yes, investment has been made in processing infrastructure with lines, with electronic sorting. At present, automation systems are being introduced in lines, product applications, palletizing and even sealing, the great obstacle so far is the cost to massify these systems.

How can the concentration of varieties complicate us?

– It can cause us complications in not having quality labor to make good harvests. The concentration could have longer waits for the process than desired. We must prepare ourselves to have materials from harvesting to packaging, as well as other associated inputs, such as transportation, cranes, energy capacity, among others.

At International Blueberries & Cherries Seminar to be held 13 Thursday April in the Monticello Hotel Conference Center, the different aspects of the season and everything new regarding the crop will be extensively addressed, both in new applied technologies, as well as the advantageous qualities of the new varieties that the market offers and, of course, the commercial prospects of the crop in the future.

To address these issues in detail, the meeting program will include important researchers and specialists, including Juan Pablo Zoffoli, Manuel José Alcaíno, Walter Masman, Lorena Pinto, Víctor Escalona, ​​Antonio Walker, Jorge Albornoz and Jessica Rodríguez, among others. .

Get your ticket Here

More information: contacto@blueberriesconsulting.com / +56 9 3469 3871