Breeding new varieties is a constant challenge for the cherry industry. In this context, IFG started a breeding program 21 years ago, the objective of which, according to Freshplaza.com, is to produce cherries that are suitable for the climate of Southern California.
This implies a tremendous challenge, considering that cherry trees need to accumulate a certain number of cold hours, a situation that is not always achieved naturally. “Through good fortune and bad, these past 21 years we have learned that global warming is a thing,” Alwyn van Jaarsveld, International Commercial Manager for Cherries at IFG, told Freshplaza.com. “California’s climate has become warmer and drier, but we are on the right track by bringing new varieties to market that are adaptable.”
But IFG is not only focused on improving varieties for warm and mild climates, they are also working on how to improve color, size, shape and, of course, the marketing window. At the same time, considering climatic events that can be harmful to crops at certain times of the year: “We are selecting varieties with a different shape that prevents water droplets from hanging off the end of the stem.” Time to maturity is another key trait of a new variety. In an ideal situation, the transition from one growing region to the next is seamless, so consumers can enjoy cherries without interruption and are not forced to switch to other fruits. “This year, the timing of the California cherry harvest was where it should be, but sugar levels in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia rose very slowly due to cold weather. This has created a gap in supply, which has a big impact,” van Jaarsveld told Freshplaza.com. “Cherries are a cyclical product for retailers, and it takes about six weeks to reach full sales. If there is a disruption in supplies during those six weeks, a shipper is back to week zero and has to ramp up sales from there again.”
New varieties
Although IFG produces around 6,000 seedlings annually, only 10 varieties have been commercially released to date. IFG Cher-ten is one of them, it is sweet and one of van Jaarsveld's favorites, according to Fresplaza.com: “It is a heart-shaped red cherry with an early harvest window. In addition, this vigorous variety adapts to diverse climatic conditions and survives rain. Production results have been very consistent.”
Cheery Glow™ is another variety they are testing and growing in California; it is a yellow cherry with a red cheek, similar to Rainier, however its harvest is 7-14 days earlier: “It’s great to have an early variety followed by a slightly later one to extend the season.” Cheery Glow™ was planted commercially a year or two ago. Since cherry trees take about four years to bear fruit commercially, it will be a few more years before it is available on store shelves., IFG told Freshplaza.com.
Cheery Glow™ is not yet commercially available, but IFG noted that “It's good to have conversations with retailers about what they can expect in a few years,” van Jaarsveld concluded.
Source: Freshplaza.com
