More than 1.200 assistants and 70 Exhibiting companies were part of the second version of CherryTech 2024; the event, which took place at the Sun Monticello hotel and events center in San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile, brought together the most important specialists on important topics in cherry production.
Three presentations in master class format, each followed by a discussion and debate forum, were part of the mega day that took place at CherryTech 2024. The person in charge of opening the presentations was the specialist advisor in cherry production and technical director of Avium, Carlos Tapia, who presented the master class “Update of key factors in the productive potential of the cherry tree”.
“It was based primarily on a study we conducted with the Avium team on the most important and influential factors of the last production season. We broke down each of these factors: cold hours, rainfall, soil, bee flight, etc., and provided a technical analysis that is very useful for the producer and for our industry for future seasons,” explained the co-founder of CherryTech.
Two other master classes were given by specialists José Ignacio Covarrubias, M.Sc. Dr., and Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Chile, and Luis Valenzuela, Agricultural Engineer, M.Sc., advisor in fruit growing, specialist in cherries and kiwis.
“My presentation was about nutritional strategies to improve the quality and condition of the fruit. I am very happy to be here at this event that has brought together so many people from the industry. I think it is interesting that the different actors in the sector, whether it is academia, exporters, producers, advisors, get together to talk and learn more about this species.” said Jose Ignacio Covarrubias.
CherryTech 2024 also included three forums, spaces for relaxed conversation between specialists; the first of them, moderated by the co-founder of Diagnofruit laboratories, Héctor García, and which focused on the post-harvest of cherries; the second was oriented towards water and irrigation and was led by advisor Carlos Tapia, as was the third space, whose central theme was “Rootstocks for cherry trees: Update and characteristics of rootstocks and experiences of the last decade”.
“We created a group that had these different gears of the system, Raúl Orellana and Pamela Orosio are two very technical professionals, so it was useful to us to provide that base, and they also have a lot of knowledge and they know that this pre- and post-harvest interaction is very important. Everything we do in connection with Trío Kimün, with Francisca Barros, with Jéssica Rodriguez, who was our editor, we were in direct communication with her, we worked with Jéssica to put together all the themes, and Avium also does “garage” research work, we work very closely connected with the industry (…) so it was purely industry; or what Nicolás Zamorano showed us, his knowledge is important to be known, what he transmitted today, the photo he showed us of how the Chinese buy the product, how the final consumer sees it, I think it is important, we must know the markets where we are going to enter”, explained Hector Garcia.
“Lifetime Achievement” Award
For the second consecutive year, CherryTech presented the award for career achievement, which went to advisor Luis Valenzuela, a professional who has been a fundamental part of the development of cherry cultivation in Chile.
“I didn’t expect it, honestly, I have never sought recognition. What I do is what I like and perhaps more than most people do. That is what I intend to deliver today, to see if there are new contributions to the development of cherries in Chile, because we rely a lot on what is out there, but we lack our own development.” said Luis Valenzuela.
The prize for the scientific poster of the year was also awarded, which was chosen by popular vote and was awarded to the Research and Development area of M&V, which presented the research entitled: “Study of Fertilization based on salmon by-product on the main productive vegetative parameters of interest in cherry trees.”
“It was a great event, we grew compared to last year; the master classes, forums, scientific research, and the staging were all of a high level; we are very pleased with the good reception of this alliance between Smartcherry and Yentzen that has given life to CherryTech, the largest technical event in the cherry industry,” commented Jorge Tello, co-founder of Smartchery and CherryTech.
Attendees at the event highlighted the organization, the level of the exhibitions and the topics addressed in the different blocks of CherryTech 2024.
“I really liked it because it is an event that is much more focused on the technical part, being able to share technical knowledge and also knowledge from the academy with producers and exporters. I think it is a super good opportunity and it is interesting to be able to take advantage of it as an industry,” said Eduardo Pérez, quality and safety manager at Exporta Fresh and an attendee at the event.
An important delegation of Argentine cherry producers from the province of Chubut was also present at CherryTech.
“I thought it was great, it is the second time we have come to CherryTech, and we know that all the technology and everything related to cherries is here in Chile; the day was very beautiful,” said Gabriel Ruiz, member of the Gaiman Cherry Cooperative, Argentina.
At the end of CherryTech 2024, the event organizers confirmed the date of the third version, which will take place on June 26, 2025.
“We are very satisfied and proud of what CherryTech 2024 was, of the tremendous turnout we had, both from the attendees and the companies that were part of this second version; this drives us to continue growing and we are already thinking and planning what CherryTech 2025 will be like,” concluded Marie Bach, CEO of Yentzen Group and co-founder of CherryTech.
