Modern fruit production is advancing at an increasingly demanding pace, where technical specialization, continuous updating, and data-driven decision-making are essential to remain competitive season after season.

In this context, the margin for error continues to narrow—especially in crops such as blueberries and cherries—where production, climate, and market challenges require growers and advisors to constantly refine their strategies.

In response to this need, the 1st International Specialization Course on Blueberry Production and the 2nd Cherry Special Congress will take place on May 26–27 at the Monticello Conference Center.

Technical program with a strong field-oriented focus

Both events will be held simultaneously in parallel rooms, bringing together leading experts, advisors, and industry stakeholders to address, from a technical and applied perspective, the main challenges and opportunities for each crop. The first day will feature a fully technical program, while the second will focus on the commercial landscape, as well as the key challenges and opportunities for both crops.

On May 28, two field days—one for each crop—will take place, aimed at observing in practice the topics covered during the previous sessions. The cherry field day will be held at Agrícola Tamarindo, in Requínoa, while the blueberry field day will take place at the Campo Frutal of Fundo Santa Marta, in Quinta de Tilcoco.

Organized by Consultora Agrícola y Comercial Santa María (CASM Blueberries) and led by advisors Sebastián Ochoa and Patricio Morales, the event is positioned as a key platform for knowledge exchange and networking, aimed at delivering high-value technical and strategic content for the industry.

As Sebastián Ochoa, director of CASM Blueberries, explains, Chile has not previously hosted an in-person technical course focused exclusively on blueberries, but rather seminars and congresses that bring the industry together.

“As a consulting team, we work across all producing regions of Chile, and the global knowledge we have adds significant value to delivering this course, as do the topics that will be addressed. These are highly relevant to the current situation of blueberries in Chile, and that will be a major contribution for growers.”

Cherries: quality, market, and challenges in an increasingly demanding scenario

Meanwhile, Patricio Morales, a cherry specialist advisor and director of Agro Asesoría, notes: “It is important for people to attend, because we are facing a challenging period in the cherry industry, similar to what fruit production has experienced across different crops. We have seen this before—these are cycles of ups and downs, and at some point, recovery always comes.

The advisor also points out that the industry must be honest about what needs to be improved, worked on, and corrected in order to clearly define the path forward. “We must keep in mind that we compete with ourselves, not with other countries. Therefore, it is key to re-engage our main market, which is China.

According to Morales, “the congress we are organizing together with Sebastián is 100% technical, focused on production and on the concrete actions we must implement to improve the quality of the fruit we ship—something that the Chinese market truly demands. In the end, this is a business where we must produce a good that the market needs—something we sometimes forget: it is not just about producing cherries.”

He adds: “The key topics of the cherry congress will be related to fruit condition, especially in terms of caliber and size, which are primary market requirements. We will also address aspects such as firmness, as well as pests and diseases, where we still have much to improve and continue learning.

“Last season, we faced significant issues with rots, pitting, and pests such as Drosophila suzukii. Therefore, we must continue advancing and become increasingly disciplined, doing things right from the start and avoiding the excessive trial and error that still occurs in many orchards, which ultimately increases our costs,” Morales concludes.

Secure your place at one of the most important technical events in the sector

To purchase your ticket, contact:

Agustina Martínez: +569 7934 1964

amartinez@casmblueberries.com