Argentinean topfruit specialist Kleppe has made its first foray into the cherry business after taking over a 30ha orchard in the upper Río Negro valley from Salentein Fruit.
The move forms part of a larger acquisition from Salentein, which included the group’s largest packing and coldstorage facility in Guerrico, in addition to two-thirds of its production or 14 orchards covering around 500ha.
The cherry production site comprises mainly the Bing variety, as well as Santina, Sweetheart and Skeena, plus a local bicoloured variety which is similar to Rainier.
Kleppe has already experienced its first, albeit short, season selling most of the harvested fruit on the domestic market.
Two small airfreight trials to Canada and Singapore were also carried out.
“We’ve only had one short season because we acquired the orchard one month before the season started,” Javier Orti, sales manager for North America and Asia told Americafruit, Asiafruit and Eurofruit.
“We can’t really define our volume growth yet. But some of the plants are pretty young so they will see a natural growth.”
Once established, the offer will be marketed under Kleppe’s quality-synonymous brand Gaucho.
Although Kleppe plans to step slowly into the cherry business, Orti said he is confident for the future, especially in terms of the prospects in Asia.
