Argentina's precocious clementines begin to be harvested

From 2022 to 2023, the experimental orchard planted 2,000 cherry trees of six varieties. The project is led by Güizzo Frutas Frescas SA, in collaboration with producer Oscar Machuca and Dr. Viviana Curzel, a professor and researcher at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Jujuy.

This year marks the second year of fruit production for the orchard, with the Minnie Royal and Royal Lee varieties from the Zaiger Genetics program showing excellent performance. The fruit has a Brix sugar content of 25-29, an average diameter of 22-24mm, a vibrant and uniform skin, and firm, crisp flesh.

Güizzo, the manager of Güizzo Frutas Frescas SA, explained that the region in Jujuy province has favorable climatic conditions, with sufficient summer rainfall, and enough chill accumulation during the dormancy period for low-chill varieties. Combined with technical management, the area has been able to harvest fresh cherries in the 40th week for two consecutive years, similar to the harvest season in northeastern South Africa, 15-20 days ahead of Mendoza, Argentina, and Coquimbo, Chile.

Technical manager Nicolás Güizzo stated, "Being able to deliver high-quality cherries by the end of September is a strategic advantage. This represents a significant commercial opportunity, both in the domestic market of Argentina and in future export markets. However, being on the edge of the cherry production area, there are challenges that need to be addressed every season."

Dr. Viviana Curzel explained that the region has a history of over 40 years in cultivating early and very early peaches, nectarines, and plums. "Initially, the varieties came from different provinces in Argentina and abroad, but now we have varieties developed locally by our research team. For 25 years, we have been dedicated to breeding stone fruit varieties with low or very low chill requirements, with the harvest period starting in September and continuing until late November."