The Argentinean government and the Mendoza Cherry Commission are working on a joint strategy to revitalise the province’s ailing cherry industry following years of decline.
Alberto Carleti of Frutícola Carleti, the region’s biggest cherry producer and a director of the commission, told Americafruit that the aim is to double planted area from 1,000ha to 2,000ha with new varieties suited to market demand.
There has been little investment in new orchards in recent years, while many growers have opted to replace older orchards with vineyards thanks to a surge in demand for the locally produced Malbec wine.
Meanwhile, cherry production in other parts of the country has been increasing in response to strong demand on export markets.
However, most of this growth has come from Asia. Europe – once the leading destination for Mendoza cherries, has witnessed a steady fall in volumes in recent years – a fact Carleti puts down to the ongoing economic crisis throughout the eurozone.
“Really, the only profitable window in Europe is for early season airflown fruit in November and in the run up to Christmas,” he noted.
Nevertheless, he is confident that investment in varietal renewal and the promotion of good agricultural practices and post-harvest handling techniques will bring about a resurgence in Mendoza’s fortunes.
“One of the biggest challenges we face is ensuring we have the genetic material and rootstocks necessary to effect a wholesale change in our varietal profile, to ensure that it is better tailored to the demands of the market,” he explained.
While it is early to make accurate forecasts for the 2013/14 production season, Carleti is hopeful that the country will see a return to normal volumes following the disappointment of the 2012/13 campaign.
Last season adverse climatic conditions and the fact that it was an alternate bearing year resulted in the lowest export volume in a decade.
“Barring any unforeseen catastrophe, we expect total shipments to reach around 1.5m cartons this season,” concluded Carleti.
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