After the harvest there is no calm

The post-harvest stage of cherries is crucial to maintain the quality of the fruit and guarantee its preservation during storage and transport. To achieve this, there are a series of important tasks that are carried out from the time the fruit is harvested until it reaches destinations as far away as China, the main buyer of Chilean cherries.

1. Delicate handling during harvest: Cherry harvesting should be done carefully to avoid damaging the fruit. Cherries should be picked with the stems attached, avoiding removing leaves or breaking branches and taking the greatest care, as cherries are delicate fruits.
2. Rapid cooling: After harvesting, it is essential to quickly reduce the temperature of cherries to maintain their freshness and prolong their shelf life. Cooling systems such as cold storage or hydrocooling are used to reduce the temperature as quickly as possible.
3. Classification and selection: Cherries are sorted according to size, colour, firmness and absence of defects. This process allows the highest quality cherries to be separated for fresh sale. In turn, the cherries pass through a tank containing fungicides, which is crucial to ensure that the fruit arrives at its destination in optimal conditions.
4. Suitable packaging: Cherries are packed in containers specifically designed to protect the fruit during transport. The containers are often perforated to allow ventilation and prevent moisture build-up. Modern packaging even provides controlled atmospheres to prevent fruit spoilage.
5. Temperature and humidity control: During storage and transport, temperature and humidity are carefully controlled to preserve the freshness of the cherries. Optimal conditions are usually temperatures close to 0°C and high relative humidity to prevent dehydration.
6. Fast and careful transport: Cherries are transported in refrigerated trucks to maintain the cold chain. Transport time is minimized to preserve the quality of the fruit.
7. Proper storage: If stored, cherries are kept under refrigerated conditions to preserve freshness. Controlled cold storage techniques are used to extend shelf life.
8. Quality Inspection: Before distribution and sale, cherries undergo quality inspections to ensure they meet the required standards.

Correct management during the post-harvest stage is essential to maintain the quality and freshness of cherries, preserving their flavour, appearance and nutritional value until they reach the final consumers.