Chinese fresh e-retailer JD Fresh kicks off pre-sales of Chilean AG2 cherries 

The annual Chilean cherry season has arrived as scheduled, and the first batch of fruit this year is about to hit the market.

On October 12th, Chinese fresh e-commerce giant JD Fresh launched its first pre-sale of the fruit, offering an air-freighted selection, an auction for 4J grade cherries starting at 1 yuan, and a 1-yuan lucky draw for PLUS members. 

The hype coincides with a concerning situation back in the producing areas in the Andean country, where orchards featuring early varieties have shown splitting due to abnormally heavy rains, wind, and hail, dwindling initial shipments. 

Image by ChinaFruitPortal.com

However, the weather hasn’t dampened the industry’s expectations for the season. The Chilean Fruit Exporters Association previously predicted that Chilean cherry exports for the 2026/27 campaign would reach 132 million boxes, a 16 percent year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, reports by the local industry and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) state that total Chilean cherry production will be revised upwards to 727,000 metric tons, with exports reaching 667,000 metric tons.

A rocky start to the Chilean cherry season

Despite the favorable forecast, the start of the season was not smooth. Central and northern Chilean cherry-growing regions experienced concentrated rainfall this year, slowing the ripening process and hindering sugar accumulation. This disrupted the harvest schedule for initial shipments.

Industry insiders say that the first batch of cherries originally planned for this year had to be postponed, resulting in a shorter window for the first batch of air-freighted cherries to hit the market this year. Furthermore, volumes will also be lower than those recorded last year. 

The scarcity of early-ripening varieties will be amplified, and exporters who can provide a stable supply of Chilean cherries that meet quality standards at this time are demonstrating their supply chain capabilities.

AG2, a flavor-first variety 

Local media has reported that the first batch of Chilean cherries to be pre-sold by JD Fresh on October 12 is the "AG2" variety, an early cultivar bred by Global AG featuring high quality and flavor as its core selling point.

Unlike mainstream varieties that prioritize pure sweetness, AG2 offers a layered sweet and sour flavor, which is rare among early-ripening cherries characterized by a bland taste due to their short growth cycle and insufficient sugar accumulation.

Image by ChinaFruitPortal.com

Colchagua, in Chile's southern Central Valley, is one of the country’s most renowned wine regions. The area experiences intense sunshine and significant diurnal temperature variations. During the day, photosynthesis accumulates sugar, while the cooler nights reduce respiration, allowing the fruit to slowly develop its flavors on the vine. AG2 grapes excel in this region, with some reaching 3J or even 4J in diameter.

Scouting the best cherries

Before harvest, JD Fresh's procurement team went deep into Chile's core production areas and established direct sourcing partnerships with local exporters to control the variety, specifications, and ripeness from the source. 

Reducing intermediate distribution links not only reduces costs but also lowers the risk of quality loss during multiple transfers. 

The platform's professional procurement team is not only responsible for placing orders but also for quality assurance, with clearly defined responsible parties at every stage, from orchard inspections and the establishment of harvesting standards to cold chain logistics and last-mile delivery.

In addition, JD Fresh explicitly prohibits "small fruit mixed with large fruit" and strictly enforces grading standards, with the main specifications requiring 2J and above.

Quicker, fresher

For consumers, the first batch of air-freighted Chilean cherries matters less for price than for freshness.

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Sea-freighted cherries typically arrive in large quantities in mid-to-late December. After more than 20 days of sea transport, although the fruit undergoes modified atmosphere preservation, its flavor and crispness inevitably suffer some loss. 

Air-freighted cherries, on the other hand, can be delivered to consumers in as little as two or three days from picking, while the fruit remains fresh from the branch, with a bright green stem and crisp, firm flesh.

This batch of Chilean cherries is expected to arrive in China by air around October 23.

This story was originally published by ChinaFruitPortal.com

*All images via ChinaFruitPortal.com unless stated otherwise. 

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