Argentine Patagonia is one of the best cherry growing areas. Its unique characteristics, in addition to its flavour and considerable size, make this fruit, which originates almost at the end of the world, a prized product in international markets.
Of course, being an extreme area, the weather never ceases to surprise producers, who constantly work to anticipate and prepare for the various weather events. Something like this happened in recent days, when the trans-Andean landscapes were dyed white, something that, although always a concern in the sector, did not surprise farmers or experts, who have backup measures.
In conversation with Smartcherry World, Anibal Caminiti, Manager of the Argentine Chamber of Integrated Cherry Producers, CAPCI, tells us that “In the mountain range and in Patagonia in general there are no frost-free periods, which means that at any time, be it December, January or February, we can have temperatures below zero, although snowfall is less frequent in the summer season, this does not mean that it cannot occur; we have had unusual situations such as snowfall even on February 9.”
Regarding the snowfall in the area, the expert explains that although it is not usual, it is not something that cannot happen, although it does cause certain concerns.This event overlaps with the situation of crops that are advanced, already setting, and having snow with low temperatures below zero in these phenological periods is not ideal. Frost protection is done
the same, even if it snows, during the snowfall.”
We imagine that you are constantly prepared for this type of situation, that is, it is not something that surprises you at all?either?
“In other words, there is an understanding of the situation, it is not ideal, you have to work on soils with very good water percolation because the natural water from the snowfall is added to the hours of sprinkler irrigation that is done to protect against the low temperature, because the problem is not the snow itself, but the weight it puts on the branches and how it breaks them. For that reason, in Patagonia, all crops are supported on trellises, wires, precisely to protect them from the wind and rain, and to control frost.”
And how do you prepare for or handle these scenarios?
“Low temperatures during snowfall are usually not less than -1° degrees, in other words, they are relatively easy to control frosts, but they overlap with the snowfall event and it is complicated because water continues to fall in the form of snow. We sprinkle water to prevent it from freezing over the floral organs or the fruiting organs that are forming at this time […] These are things that can happen, especially in the mountains, whereas in Patagonian areas, but which are further east or towards the center of the territory, there can be low temperatures, rain and wind, but snowfalls are more difficult things, although Patagonia never ceases to surprise you with the weather…”
Especially now, when everything is so unpredictable with the weather, you don't really know what's going to happen from one season to the next.
«I would say from one week to the next. Although we are much better equipped everywhere with all the weather services and prevention, there are things that are beyond us. This excess of water and rain are things that complicate things and can impact the quality of the fruit, the same thing that happens to us now in December with the high temperatures and solar radiation that are changing the environment, and that are becoming more frequent, and that also alter the quality of the fruit, so these are situations that in cherry production mean having to be on a daily basis looking at how to mitigate the climatic situations that arise, in order to defend our production in the best possible way.”
A promising season
Just a couple of weeks ago, Mendoza began its first harvest of the season, which was on time, for the third time in a row, during week 42. Days later, exports were already beginning to take place, and international markets were enthusiastically receiving the fruit. This was the prologue to a story that seems to have a good continuation. Although there is a delay in the stages, this is only around 7 days, which does not imply any major problems for the local industry so far.
“The stages are delayed, delayed by more or less 7 days in all regions, from Mendoza to Santa Cruz, in the south of Patagonia for the main varieties. This week the harvest begins in the Chimpay region, in Río Negro, when it usually begins on November 7 or 9, and this is the earliest area of Patagonia. In Mendoza, on the other hand, the extra early varieties began on October 19 and the more traditional ones were well on schedule this year. In general in the country, it is a delay of approximately one week, depending on the place and the variety, but the season is complete, it is going well, there were some other episodes of rain and although there was some damage and cracks in early varieties such as Royal Down, it was nothing comparable to the previous ones.
what happens in other countries like Chile.”
But overall the outlook remains very positive?
“This is a day-to-day process, we will see how the weather develops,” adds Caminiti. “This season is going well so far, quite full with regions that frequently have weather problems like Mendoza, which have advanced very well. We come from two seasons where we have had significant losses due to weather effects, but this year at least we are doing well, this at the country level. It may be
That with this we recover exportable balances that decreased in the last two seasons precisely because of this, and that it allows us to have a better exportable performance, that is what we hope for."
