The most important meeting of the world of cherries in Argentina will be held on September 2 in Chimpay, province of Río Negro. This edition will have the novelty of being held directly in cherry orchards, seeking to provide the participants with an on-site experience.
After two years of online events, the “Cherry Day” 2022 organized by the Argentine Chamber of Integrated Cherry Producers (CAPCI) is returning to the face-to-face format. This version will have, as a differentiating element, the execution of a field day, where participants will be able to see first-hand the products, developments and techniques of the industry.
“The goal is always to bring ideas and share what we are doing with producers and partners in Argentina, as well as people who want to get closer to the sector and show new ventures. We aim to improve, position the product in the world and support the productive growth of cherries in Argentina.”, said Alejandro Zimmermann, President of CAPCI, in conversation with Smartcherry.
This new edition of “Cherry Day” will take place on September 2nd, with the distinguishing feature being the “opening of gates” where attendees will visit three packing plants and crops, and will be guided by the same technicians from there. The venue will be the town of Chimpay, in the province of Río Negro, a new location for the event, since it had only been held in Neuquén before. The choice is based on the developments in the world of cherries in the area, since it has, for example, the largest surface area of crops under covers and has the best development in the country in terms of active frost control by spraying.
“The focus of the field day will be the opening of gates and that producers and investors can learn about the know-how and experience acquired in the management of cherry cultivation for the particularities of Patagonia and, above all, the possibility of producing early.”, said Aníbal Caminiti, Executive Manager of the Argentine Chamber of Integrated Cherry Producers.
Unlike other years, the exhibitors will be exclusively local technicians, who hope to transmit first-hand knowledge and experience in the handling of cherries in the Andean country.
“The industry continues to grow and, therefore, especially in the southern hemisphere, the industry continues to deliver technologies, not only in the area of packaging, but also in orchards, that aim to reduce climate risks.”, said Zimmermann, who also complemented what Caminiti said: "By Why was that area chosen? Because it is an early area and, in addition, it has the greatest amount of cover per hectare. We believe that it is necessary to share the experience with other areas such as Mendoza, Neuquén and Chubut, who will probably need that tool. What did we do well? What did we do wrong? And, how do we manage it? It is a matter of learning together.”.
The "Cherry Day" will also include a closed-door session on September 1, in which only Capci members will participate to discuss various topics related to the cherry industry.
Situation of the Argentine cherry
The origins of the Argentine cherry industry date back to the late 1990s and early 2000s. To date, there are nearly 3,000 hectares of orchards of this fruit species, divided between the provinces of Mendoza, Neuquén, Río Negro, Chubut and Santa Cruz, and in the most recent season they exported around 7,000 tons of cherries.
Its main markets during the 2021 season were the United States, with 351 TP3T; China, with a similar percentage; Europe (including the United Kingdom), with 221 TP3T and the Middle East with shipments ranging between 6 and 71 TP3T.
