| Cherries, sweet | [German version] |
Table of contents |
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| General: | ||
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Product information | |
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Packaging | |
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Transport | |
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Container transport | |
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Cargo securing | |
Product information
Product name
| German | Kirschen, süß, Süßkirschen |
| English | Sweet cherries |
| French | Cerises |
| Spanish | Cerezas |
| Scientific | Prunus avium |
| CN/HS number * | 0809 20 ff. |
(* EU Combined Nomenclature/Harmonized System)
Product description
Sweet cherries belong to the rose family (Rosaceae) and are a stone fruit. They originated from wild cherries and are subdivided into heart and white-heart cherries. Heart cherries have soft flesh and are therefore not so prone to bursting. They are, however, less transportable than firm-fleshed white-heart cherries, which, in contrast, have the disadvantage of a greater susceptibility to bursting.
Sweet cherries come in several shades: yellow, bright (light) and dark (reddish to black). Heart cherries are generally dark in color, while white-heart cherries are frequently bright-colored. Inside, cherries have a hard stone enclosing the seed and the stone is itself surrounded by fleshy pulp.
Sweet cherries are harvested from the trees, which vary markedly in height, only when fully ripe, since they are not amenable to post-ripening. If cherries are picked too early, they are no longer able to develop their typical characteristics and spoil very rapidly.
Quality / Duration of storage
The quality of sweet cherries is determined by uniform color and size depending on the variety. They must not be overripe or display any injury caused by birds, rot or hail. They should also be examined for green mold They must not be picked in the rain and must be picked with the stem on. It is recommended that fitness for loading be confirmed by an inspector.
The storage life of sweet cherries is very restricted due to their delicate skin. Because they spoil easily, they should be sold as soon as possible after harvesting. Only firm-fleshed white-heart cherries are suitable for transport over relatively long distances (10 days maximum, [1]).
Where controlled atmosphere transport is used, transport and storage duration may be extended. The following parameters apply in such a case [16]:
| Temperature | Rel. humidity | O2 | CO2 | Suitability for controlled atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 – 2.2°C | 90 – 95% | 10 – 20% | 20 – 25% | good |
Intended use
The sweet cherry is the original dessert cherry, but, apart from being eaten fresh, it is also used in the preparation of jams and preserves, stewed fruit, drinks, ice cream and confectionery.
Figures
(Click on the individual Figures to enlarge them.)
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Countries of origin
This Table shows only a selection of the most important countries of origin and should not be thought of as exhaustive.
| Europe | Germany, Italy, Greece, Spain, France, former Yugoslavia, Hungary, Turkey, Bulgaria, Switzerland |
| Africa | |
| Asia | |
| America | |
| Australia |
Cherries are very seldom transported from overseas, such as South Africa, USA, Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand due to their limited storage duration and their transport sensitivity.
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Packaging
Cherries are transported in well-perforated fruit crates, cartons or crates.
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Transport
Symbols
 General cargo |
 Temperature-controlled |
Means of transport
Aircraft, ship, truck, railroad
Container transport
Refrigerated container with fresh air supply or controlled atmosphere.
Cargo handling
Cherries have delicate skin and must therefore be treated with appropriate care during cargo handling, since injury to the fruit skin results in rapid spoilage. The cold chain must at all costs be maintained, since otherwise there is a risk of rapid spoilage.
In damp weather (rain, snow), the cargo must be protected from moisture, as there is otherwise a risk of premature spoilage.
Stowage factor
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3.46 m3/t (fruit crates on disposable pallets) [1] |
Stowage space requirements
Cool, dry, well ventilated
Segregation
Fiber rope, thin fiber nets, wooden dunnage
Cargo securing
Because of its considerable impact- and pressure-sensitivity, packages of this cargo must be secured in such a way that they are prevented from damaging each other. Spaces between packages or pallets must be filled, to prevent slippage or tipping. By selecting the correct packaging size or cargo unit (area module or area module multiple), holds can be tightly loaded (without spaces).
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Risk factors and loss prevention
RF Temperature
Cherries require particular temperature, humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions (SC VII) (storage climate conditions).
A written cooling order must be obtained from the consignor before loading is begun. This order must always be complied with during the entire transport chain.
The following Table merely constitutes an estimate of appropriate temperature ranges. Temperatures may deviate from these values, depending on the particular transport conditions.
| Designation | Temperature range | Source |
| Travel temperature | 0 – 1°C | [1] |
| 0 – 2°C | [3] | |
| 0 – 2°C | [5] | |
| -1 – +2°C | [6] |
The cargo and holds/containers should be appropriately precooled prior to loading.
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RF Humidity/Moisture
Cherries require particular temperature, humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions (SC VII) (storage climate conditions).
| Designation | Humidity/water content | Source |
| Relative humidity | 95% | [1] |
| Water content | approx. 85 – 88% | [1] |
| Maximum equilibrium moisture content | 90% | [1] |
It is essential to protect cherries from rain, as they tend to burst due to water absorption.
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RF Ventilation
Cherries require particular temperature, humidity/moisture and ventilation conditions (SC VII) (storage climate conditions).
Recommended ventilation conditions: circulating air, 60 – 80 circulations/hour with continuous supply of fresh air.
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RF Biotic activity
Cherries display 2nd order biotic activity.
They are living organs in which respiration processes predominate, because their supply of new nutrients has been cut off by separation from the parent plant.
Care of the cargo during the voyage must be aimed at controlling respiration processes (release of CO2, water vapor, ethylene and heat) in such a way that the cargo is at the desired stage of ripeness on reaching its destination. Inadequate ventilation may result in fermentation and rotting of the cargo as a result of increased CO2 levels and inadequate supply of atmospheric oxygen (see Ventilation).
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RF Gases
| CO2 evolution | at 0°C: 4.8 mg/kg*h |
| Upper limit of permissible CO2 content | 0.5 vol.% Although cherries do not suffer damage at a CO2 content of 4 vol.%, the content should be kept at 0.5 vol.% with regard to a necessary and adequate supply of fresh air. |
| Ethylene evolution | |
| Active behavior | The rate of ethylene production is very low, being below 0.1 µl/kg*h [16]. |
| Passive behavior | Ethylene sensitivity may be classified as low [16]. To prevent premature spoilage, however, they must not be stored together with apples, pears and citrus fruit (allelopathy). |
If ventilation has been inadequate (frost) or has failed owing to a defect, life-threatening CO2 concentrations or O2 shortages may arise. Therefore, before anybody enters the hold, it must be ventilated and a gas measurement carried out.
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RF Self-heating / Spontaneous combustion
No risk.
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RF Odor
| Active behavior | Cherries have a slight, pleasant odor and do not therefore affect other products. |
| Passive behavior | Cherries are highly odor-sensitive and must therefore not be stored together with odor-emitting products. |
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RF Contamination
| Active behavior | Cherries do not cause contamination. |
| Passive behavior | The cargo is sensitive to dirt, fats and oils. The holds or containers must be clean and in a thoroughly hygienic condition before loading. |
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RF Mechanical influences
Cherries must be handled with extreme care, as they are very sensitive to impact and spoil very quickly when injured.
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RF Toxicity / Hazards to health
If ventilation has been inadequate (frost) or has failed owing to a defect, life-threatening CO2 concentrations or O2 shortages may arise. Therefore, before anybody enters the hold, it must be ventilated and a gas measurement carried out.
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RF Shrinkage/Shortage
Normal weight loss is less than 1%.
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RF Insect infestation / Diseases
Cherries may be affected by the following diseases:
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Blue mold rot: This disease causes the most damage to cherries. It is caused by various molds and its initial symptom is a small, circular, slightly sunken brown rot spot. Beneath this spot, the pulp is very moist and light brown. As the disease progresses, white and subsequently blue-green mold deposits form, before the fruit rots completely. |
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Gray mold rot: This occurs very frequently in cherries during storage and develops particularly well at temperatures between 18 and 24°C. |
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Brown rot: Brown rot is caused by molds of the genus Monilia. It can be recognized by typical concentric rings on the surface of the fruit. |
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Cherry fruit fly: Attack by the cherry fruit fly maggot (Rhagoletis cerasi) is manifested externally by a brown, sunken area near the stem-end. It destroys the pulp around the stone and turns it into a brown, rotting mass. |
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Chilling damage: Irregular, brown, somewhat sunken spots appear on the surface of the fruit after approx. 2 – 3 weeks storage at an excessively low temperature. |
Another problem from which cherries suffer is bursting: cherries absorb water when it rains, causing the skin to burst. Burst cherries are extremely susceptible to rot and are therefore no longer salable.
The quarantine regulations of the country of destination must be complied with and a phytosanitary certificate may have to be enclosed with the shipping documents. Information may be obtained from the phytosanitary authorities of the countries concerned.
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