As the cherry season draws to a close and the apricot season gets into full swing, a number of key trends are being confirmed for 2025. "At COT International, we focus on self-fertilizing varieties that are adapted to climate change and are increasingly tasty, to meet the expectations of producers and markets alike," explains Pascal Bassols-Pot, technical and sales manager at COT International.
Cherries: Simplified orchards thanks to self-fertility
The breeding company's selection work now includes self-fertility as a basic criterion. "This makes it easier to manage orchards without having to rely on pollinators, while ensuring regular, uniform production. Our catalog includes two varieties that perfectly illustrate this approach: the Sun Pop, already recognized for its productivity, crunchiness, and taste quality, and the new Californian selection SMS 311. This cross between Belgian and Summit, the result of work by Steve Southwick (SMS Varieties), combines self-fertility, taste, and promising commercial potential. At the same time, our initial selection work in the Murcia region (Spain) is opening up interesting prospects for earlier production, particularly in low-chill areas. It is a development that even makes it possible to imagine cherry orchards in Mediterranean regions that have historically been poorly adapted to this crop."
© COT International
Murcia cherries
Apricots: Taste remains the priority
As far as apricots are concerned, taste is more than ever at the heart of expectations. "France, a historic market that is increasingly demanding, no longer compromises on taste quality. This reinforces our choice to prioritize sweet, aromatic, and juicy varieties in our selections, capable of seducing consumers from the very first bite. But taste alone is not enough: adaptability is also essential. That is why we continue our rigorous selection work in Murcia for varieties that are low chilling, early ripening, and that taste good, with an average Brix of 15° at the end of April/beginning of May (such as Luna COT cov, with a Brix of 15° on 06/05/2025). We also continue our selection work in Nîmes with our seasonal and late, even very late ripening varieties (COCOT cov, with a Brix of 15.5° on 10/06/2025)."
© COT International
Luna COT, 06/05/2025 in Murcia, 15° Brix
Our varietal creations always follow the same objective. "We develop varieties that are adapted to growers' requirements and meet consumers' expectations. Self-fertility, varietal range, adaptability, and taste pleasure are the pillars of our approach to variety creation, in the past, present, and future."
© COT International
COCOT cov, maturity on 10/06/2025 at St Gilles, Brix 15.5°.
For more information:
Pascal Bassols Pot
COT International
Mas de la Condamine, Chemin de l'abricot
30230 Bouillargues
[email protected]
www.cot-international.eu
