European IFG Cherry Field Day showcases the success of low-chill cherry program

Bakersfield, Calif.-based International Fruit Genetics LLC (IFG) showcased its low-chill cherry program at its first-ever European IFG Field Days in Zaragoza, Spain.

Over 50 cherry growers and retailers across four continents attended the May 16 event, which featured high-quality samples from eight of its Cheery Cherries varietals for tastings and viewings, according to a news release.

Attendees were treated to look, taste and touch several Cheery Cherries varietals, including Cheery Treat, Cheery Moon, Cheery Cupid, Cheery Crunch, Cheery Chap and Cheery Burst. IFG’s International Technical Manager of Cherries Antonia Sanchez-Labbe shared insights on the varietals with attendees, along with the variety management guidelines, the release said.

IFG’s low-chill cherry efforts allow growers to harvest cherries with fewer “chill hours” during the winter, resulting in the fruit ripening more quickly, according to the release.

 The Cheery Cherries program also produces cherries that are more uniform in quality, offering hardy varietals that are less susceptible to damage from either hot temperatures or excessive rains while staying fresh during potentially long shipping and storage durations, the release said.

“Our cherry program in Spain is still very young, but is gaining incredible traction,” Alwyn van Jaarsveld, IFG’s international commercial manager for cherries, said in the release. “Our low-chill program ensures that our cherries are large, crunchy and tasty for retailers and consumers — and fill that early season gap allowing consumers to enjoy a much longer cherry season. We have already had some retailers who attended the event begin mobilizing to obtain fruit for the marketplace.”

IFG’s cherry program in Spain is about 10 years old, the release said, which is relatively young compared to its table grape program. IFG recognizes the region is a primary producer and exporter of European cherries and is determined to continue to elevate the cherry varietals available to consumers, according to the release.

“It’s important to remember that while this event was geared towards our licensees, at the end of the day, all attendees are also consumers,” Andy Higgins, CEO of IFG, said in the release. “It was rewarding to see them learning more about the program and enjoying the fruit itself. Their reaction to the flavor, texture and the firmness of the cherry varieties was a huge compliment. This event reinforced IFG’s focus on flavor and the consumer experience.”