Italy: Nine organizations team up to promote pears, kiwifruit
Key players in the Italian fresh fruit sector have joined forces to create a new consortium dedicated to marketing kiwifruit and pears. 
Officially launched in early August, the Origine Group consists of nine Italian organizations already firmly established on the market; Afe, Apofruit, FruttaC2, Granfrutta Zani, Kiwi Uno, Op Kiwi Sole, Pempa Corer, Salvi Unacoa and Spreafico.
According to a release from Apofruit, the new group will focus its interests on promoting the two fruit categories in international markets, however long-term plans involved diversifying the fruit basket to include other key Italian produce.
The Origine Group will focus on emerging markets such as North Africa, South America, the Middle East and Asia. In terms of research and development, it also intends on establishing new varieties.
"The priority for this new aggregation is to safeguard farmers’ income. We intend to immediately introduce strong coordination aimed at developing new and alternative markets," says Apofruit’s Ilenio Bastoni in the release.
"We also fundamentally believe that varietal innovation is the real key to redeveloping the sector and we are already working in this direction and will shortly communicate some important news."
The new consortium has appointed its Board of Directors, led by Bastoni. Tthe vice president role has been designated to Simone Spreafico and other prominent board members include Marco Salvi, Alessandro Zani, Gualtiero Rivoira, Alessandro Pernigo, Mauro Grossi, Alessandro Cenzuales and Alberto Garbuglia.
Photo: www.shutterstock.com
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