Luján de Cuyo, April 4, 2025 – The IV International Seminar on Early Fresh Cherries of Mendoza was held over two days, connecting producers, entrepreneurs, and experts in the cherry production sector, fostering a vital space for updating, learning, and promoting this important agricultural industry.

Day 1: Boosting Investments and Shared Experiences

The first day, held on Thursday, April 3, at the Nave Cultural center, marked the beginning of this edition. With a focus on attracting investment and positioning Mendoza as an attractive destination for cherry production, the event brought together key players from the producing provinces of Argentina and Chile.

Facundo Quirós, manager of the Chamber of Cherries of Mendoza, highlighted the importance of the seminar for the ongoing education of local producers and marketers. During his speech, he emphasized: “The motto of this event is the attraction of investment and that Mendoza presents itself as an investment destination for those looking to venture into early cherries.” Quirós underscored the support from the provincial government, led by a minister who understands the sector’s needs.

Last season was exceptional for cherry production, which fueled the seminar’s success, growing not only in attendance but also in visibility and public-private support. Quirós mentioned, “These last four years have been fruitful not only because of the management we have started with local producers and authorities, but also with our peers across the mountains.” The collaboration with Chilean experts was particularly emphasized, spotlighting Jorge Astudillo, who has aided in the development of the earliest cherries in Chile despite agro-climatic challenges.

Diego Aguilar, president of the Chamber of Cherries of Mendoza, also highlighted the importance of this connection with Chile, stating: “We are called to continue promoting Mendoza as a prime fruit region and find synergy in producing the southernmost fruit in the world.”

Jorge Astudillo, an early cherry producer and advisor from Ovalle, provided insights into Mendoza’s productive characteristics and the importance of working together. “We brought the experience from Ovalle, complemented it with theirs, and worked together on a vision of how to do it,” Astudillo commented.

The first day also featured presentations by national experts like Karen Sagredo, Arturo Calderón, and Paula Santibáñez, transforming the seminar into a crucial learning and discussion space about the latest trends and technologies in cherry production.

Day 2: A Field Day for Practical Application

The seminar’s second day, celebrated on April 4, moved to the Güizzo Fresh Fruits farm, where participants engaged in a practical “field day.” Fernando Güizzo, the farm owner, welcomed attendees and shared the history of his 50-hectare cherry orchard.

Divided into three stations, participants had the opportunity to learn about crop reconversion, soil management, and irrigation systems. At the first station, they visited the plantations of the Nimba and Pacific varieties. At the second, Rosana Vallone, an academic from the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the National University of Cuyo, offered valuable advice on soil preparation and optimization.

Arturo Calderón from the University of Concepción addressed the importance of evaluating water stress in plants, providing essential information for efficient irrigation management.

Nicolás Güizzo closed the field day by emphasizing the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as the exchange of experiences among professionals from both countries.

With the success of both days and the rich interaction of knowledge, the IV International Seminar on Early Fresh Cherries of Mendoza established itself as a fundamental event for the development of the cherry industry, creating opportunities for growth and innovation in the production of this valuable fruit. This marks a promising future for cherry producers, within a context where cooperation and the sharing of knowledge are key to facing the sector’s challenges.