ISHS Acta Horticulturae 410: II International Cherry Symposium
STRATEGIES FOR MAINTAINING HIGH QUALITY IN SWEET CHERRIES DURING HARVESTING, HANDLING AND MARKETING |
| Authors: | L. Sekse, L. Lyngstad |
| Abstract:
The main fruit growing area in Norway is located in the southwestern part of the country at 60°N latitude. Compared to other sweet cherry-producing countries in Europe, our harvest season falls very late, usually from July 15 to August 10. In Norway interest is increasing in developing high quality sweet cherry production aiming at export markets that will benefit from our very late harvest season. Ullensvang Research Station is leading this developmental work, which is supported and partly financed by the Norwegian authorities. Our strategy includes research and development on many aspects of sweet cherry production: optimal nutrition, dwarfing rootstocks, cultivars, intensive planting systems, protection against rain-induced fruit cracking and plant protection, and improving the harvesting, handling and marketing of the fruits. To improve picking techniques, modifications of apple picking bags to fit sweet cherry picking have been made and are now being evaluated. To ensure prompt cooling after harvest, the cherries are transferred to containers (approximately 40 dm3) destined for cold storage. Different types of containers for cold storage are being evaluated, and cooling systems that provide the storage atmosphere with air of high humidity will be tested this season. Sorting and packing lines have been built and were tested in the 1992 season, and different types of small (0.25–0.5 kg) and large (5 kg) consumer packages have been evaluated in the domestic market the last few years. Analysis of the domestic market concerning consumer preferences in sweet cherries are being developed and similar analysis of markets abroad will follow. | |
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