Chile sets sights on own cherry varieties December 22 , 2020 Chile is betting on launching its own cherry varieties in the future thanks to the work done by the INIA-BioFrutales Cherry Genetic Improvement Program. Among the achievements, a Rainier-type selection known as “Selection 21” stands out. The cultivar could strengthen the early cherry production zones in Chile and would expand the export offerings in China. The project was started in 2010 by INIA Rayentué in O’Higgins and the BioFrutales Organization (to which Fedefruta belongs) with the support of Corfo. It currently has 16 advanced options for cherries, all with the potential to transform into the first varieties 100 percent developed in Chile.