After a complex season that has been widely analyzed by various industry players, it is important to put the information and experiences acquired into perspective.
Following a chronological sequence of the different events, the main problems presented were the following:
- Pre-harvest problems
At this stage we had to live with difficulties associated with agro-climatic factors, such as flooding in various productive areas, associated with atmospheric river phenomena. In some areas we continued to have problems with a lack of Chilling Hours (CH) to optimally exit dormancy; finally, the lack of degree days (DD) in flowering and budding, which affected pollination and subsequent fruit setting.
The consequences of the events mentioned above generated uncertainty and doubts in the industry regarding harvest forecasts, affecting export volume predictions up to the last minute and, therefore, the entire supply chain and shipment estimates.
Initially, projected estimates (late winter) were 100 million cases, later adjusted to around 82.795 million cases, of which the 90% was destined for the Chinese market.
- Problems in harvest
In addition to the drop in export volume, a major issue was the delay in the start of the harvest. This meant continuously readjusting the planning of processes in the packing plants and the estimated shipping schedules reported to logistics operators and shipping companies. Fortunately, unlike in previous seasons, we did not have problems with container availability and shipments could be made normally.
When analysing the quality and condition of the different varieties harvested, the most complex situation was presented by the Santina variety, which represented 21% of the total exported; it was the second with the greatest volume and the one that suffered the most from the effects of the rains recorded during the spring, especially during the month of October, with strong electrical storms and even, in some areas, the presence of hail.
These rainfalls severely affected the condition of the fruit that was already in the fruiting stage, in the earliest areas, even in that fruit protected with roof systems.
The amount of rain in spring caused the fruit to split or develop microcracks at the time of harvest, which subsequently led to the development of rot (Figure 1), due to the presence of inoculants from the orchard. The consequence of this problem was that slower processes had to be carried out in the packing plants, in addition to assigning “manual filters” in the selection in order to generate a final product in accordance with the quality standard. Finally, and in some cases, this resulted in significant losses in the exportable percentage of the affected batches.
Figure 1. Fruits with apical splitting and development of rots.
Another complex situation that affected all varieties until the end of the season was the heterogeneity of maturity at harvest (Figure 2), a situation that was also seen in pre-harvest when different phenological states were observed in the same plant (Figure 3).
Figure 3 Unevenness in fruit development.
In Lapins, our main variety, discolored fruit (white wadding) was observed early in the season, affecting the overall appearance of the box.
- Post-harvest problems
Our early varieties (Royal Dawn, Santina and others) arrived in China from week 51, via sea, where the main comments from the destination were associated with fruit with cracks and the development of rot.
In the case of Lapins (43% of the exported volume), as well as Regina (with 19%) and the rest of the varieties observed at destination, these presented a good post-harvest behavior, where Lapins was characterized by presenting adequate firmness and Regina showed a very good color.
In general terms, among the main problems observed in the fruit, some incidence of pitting and cracks, which was not a commercial problem, since it did not influence the sale of the fruit.
Market requirements
As in previous seasons, consumers are looking for very firm, sweet fruit, with green pedicels, without rot, and of homogeneous color and size.
They are increasingly demanding and require a product with a high standard of quality and condition. Currently, consistent products are rewarded, where a certain label must repeat its quality and condition throughout the season so that the customer or consumer recognizes the brand and wants to repeat the shopping experience without surprises.
One of the relevant quality requirements for this business is the size of the fruit, which is why the size curve to be offered is becoming increasingly important, since consumers are increasingly demanding in acquiring a large fruit, which is expressed in the price they are willing to pay (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Price difference that the consumer is willing to pay for large fruit, where A equals 2J fruit and B equals J fruit
Another requirement as important as the previous one is the color. This season, the customers' comment regarding this aspect was the need to receive a product with an even color (homogeneous) inside the box (Figure 5), where the dark/black fruit was not well evaluated, except in the Kordia variety, because these colors are associated with overripe fruit. When darker fruit is presented, customers make a more in-depth evaluation of the product, which also includes the flavor.
Figure 5. Color homogeneity in the finished box
Another point to take into account is the importance of the date of the fruit from its packaging to its arrival at its destination; this means that this is another requirement to consider, which implies streamlining and optimizing our processes and shipments to the maximum.
Finally, with respect to packaging formats, in the Chinese market we observed traditional cardboard boxes with MAP (Modified Atmosphere) bags of 5 and 2.5 Kg, Master of 2 and 2.5 Kg, smaller formats of 3*2 Kg. To a lesser extent, FowPack containers were seen in 2.5 Kg and lower weights, as well as 2.5 Kg plastic boxes (Figure 6).
It is important to mention that these new formats have greater demands from buyers, since in most of them it is not easy to carry out a thorough review of the quality and condition of the fruit, quickly, so the fruit to be packed must ensure good quality and withstand the thermal break conditions that are generated between arrival and consumption.
Figure 6 Different formats used in cherries for the Chinese market
Final comments
Considering the requirements of our clients and the lessons learned season after season, our cherry export process is a process of continuous improvement from the orchard to the marketing of the last container.
Based on the above it is necessary:
- Develop new predictive tools or methods that allow us to more assertively project the productive potential of each season by integrating the different variables.
- Develop products and implement technologies that allow for homogenizing fruit ripeness at the orchard level in order to concentrate the harvest on the colors most in demand by the market; as well as considering the practice of harvesting in blooms, evaluating the economic impact that this would entail.
- Increase the demands on the selection process in packaging lines to achieve a finished product with a homogeneous colour.
- Working at the orchard level, with early tasks that allow for load adjustment and thus achieve the development of an appropriate size curve in terms of commercial requirements.
- Implement systems at the packing plant level that allow for control of the times or each stage of the process, optimizing them and reducing the time between the harvest date and the shipping date.
