More than 1,200 attendees and 70 exhibiting companies were part of the second version of CherryTech 2024; The event, which took place at the Sun Monticello hotel and events center, in San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile, brought together the most important specialists around important topics in cherry production.
Three presentations in master class format, each followed by a discussion and debate forum, were part of the mega day that took place at CherryTech 2024. The person in charge of opening the exhibitions was the specialist advisor in cherry production and technical director of Avium, Carlos Tapia, who presented the master class “Updating key factors in the productive potential of the cherry tree.”
“It was mainly based on a study we did with the Avium team on what were the most preponderant and influential factors of the last production season. We break down each of these factors: cold hours, precipitation, soil, bee flight, etc., and provide a very useful technical analysis for the producer and for our industry for future seasons,” explained the also co-founder of CherryTech.
Two other master classes were given by specialists José Ignacio Covarrubias, M. Sc. Dr., and Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Chile, and Luis Valenzuela, Agronomist, M Sc., fruit growing advisor, specialist in cherries and kiwis.
Carlos Tapia presenting at CherryTech 2024.
“My presentation was about nutritional strategies to improve the quality and condition of the fruit; I am very happy to be here at this event that has brought together so many people from the industry. I think it is interesting that the different actors in the field, be it academia, exporters, producers, advisors, get together to talk and learn more about this species,” said José Ignacio Covarrubias.
CherryTech 2024 also included 3 forums, spaces for relaxed conversation between specialists; the first of them, moderated by the co-founder of Diagnofruit laboratories, Héctor García, and which focused on the post-harvest of the cherry; The second was oriented to water and irrigation and was directed by advisor Carlos Tapia, as was the third space, whose central theme was “Rootstocks for cherry trees: Update and characteristics of the rootstocks and the experiences of the last decade.”
“We made a group that had these different gears of the system, Raúl Orellana and Pamela Orosio are two very technical professionals, so it helped us to provide that basis, and they also have a lot of knowledge and know that this pre- and post-harvest interaction is very important. Everything we do in connection with Trío Kimün, with Francisca Barros, with Jéssica Rodriguez, who was our editor, we were in direct communication with her, we worked with Jéssica to put together all the themes, and Avium also does research work on “garage ”, we work very connected with the industry (…) so it was purely industry; or what Nicolás Zamorano showed us, his knowledge is important to know, what he transmitted today, the photo he showed us of how the Chinese buy the product, how they see it, the final consumer, I think it is important, we must know the markets where we are going to enter,” explained Héctor García.
For the second consecutive year, CherryTech presented the lifetime achievement award, an award that went to advisor Luis Valenzuela, a professional who has been a fundamental part of the development of cherry cultivation in Chile.
“I didn’t expect it, the truth is, I have never pretended to have recognition, what I do do is what I like and perhaps more than what most do, that is what I intend to deliver today, to see if there are new contributions to the development of the cherry in Chile, because we rely a lot on what is outside, but we lack our own development,” said Luis Valenzuela.
The prize was also awarded to the scientific poster of the year, which was chosen by popular vote and which was in the hands of the Research and Development area of M&V that presented the research titled: “Study of Fertilization based on salmon by-product on the main parameters productive vegetative plants of interest in cherry trees”
“It was a great event, we grew compared to last year; both the master classes, forums, scientific investigations, and the staging were of a high level; “We are very happy with the good reception of this alliance between Smartcherry and Yentzen that has given life to CherryTech, the largest technical event in the cherry industry,” commented Jorge Tello, co-founder of Smartchery and CherryTech.
Those attending the event highlighted the organization, the level of the exhibitions and the topics addressed in the different blocks of CherryTech 2024.
“I really liked it because it is an event that is much more focused on the technical part, on being able to share technical and academic knowledge with producers and exporters; I think it is a super good instance and it is interesting to be able to take advantage of it as an industry,” said Eduardo Pérez, in charge of quality and safety at Exporta Fresh and attendee at the event.
An important Argentine delegation of cherry producers from the province of Chubut was also present at CherryTech.
“I thought it was very good, it is the second time we have come to CherryTech, and we know that all the technology and everything about cherries is here in Chile; The day was very beautiful,” said Gabriel Ruiz, member of the Gaiman Cherry Cooperative, Argentina.
At the end of CherryTech 2024, the event organization confirmed the date of the third version, which will take place on June 26, 2025.
“We are very satisfied and proud of what CherryTech 2024 was, of the tremendous turnout we had, both from the attendees and the companies that were part of this second version; This drives us to continue growing and we are already thinking and planning what CherryTech 2025 will be,” concluded Marie Bach, general manager of Yentzen Group and co-founder of CherryTech.