Fresh Del Montea well-known global producer and distributor of fresh fruit, world leader in pineapples and bananas, decides to enter the Italian small fruit marketand it does so starting from Sicily.
The decision, made official at Macfrut in Rimini during the presentation of the 3rd Strawberry and Small Fruit Symposiumwill be better explored about the methods, times and choice of partners, during the event organized by the monthly magazine Agrisicilia which will take place in Marsala on 11 July at Vito Gambina’s “A Piccoli Frutti” company.
But why does Del Monte turn to small fruits that it has never dealt with until now? The answer comes from Gianluca Bertelli who is responsible for the new Italian project of the multinational fruit company: “We are witnessing a progressive reduction in the consumption of traditional fruitconversely only the sector of small fruits presents a clear growth”. And why do we start from Sicily? “The island, given its central position in the Mediterranean – Bertelli observed – represents a real hub from which to easily move these fresh products both towards Europe and towards North Africa”.
Fresh Del Monte which, aiming to bring Sicilian small fruits to the global market, aims to build lasting partnerships with local producers, will demand quality and attention to the supply chain from them. “And, as is obvious – he commented Gianluca Caruso, professor at the Federico II University of Naples – certifications cannot be ignored”. Request for the Global Gap to be integrated with the Grasp module (the standard for inspections of good social practices, ed.).
“As Agrisicilia we wanted to organize the symposium on strawberries and small fruits in Sicily, and in particular in Marsala where both crops exist – explained Massimo Mirabella, director of the magazine – to give many producers the opportunity to seize, if they want, the opportunity offered by Del Monte taking the field.
The Marsala area is renowned for the production of strawberries, but more and more producers are turning towards small fruits. The latter, in fact, offer more interesting commercial opportunities. And with a partner of this caliber the growth potential of the production chain in the region becomes truly interesting.
Angela Sciortino
