Apofruit Italia (over 4,000 members, 12 processing plants and 15 pick-up and storage centres, with an annual turnover of 320 million euro) and the Agricola Guidi Group (400 hectares of apricot trees, with an annual turnover of over 60 million euro by adding the fruit and vegetable and livestock divisions) have signed an agreement for the exports of apricots. The two Italian fruit companies based in Romagna are already among the major Italian producers of apricots.
THE COOPERATION BETWEEN APOFRUIT AND GUIDI
Together, Apofruit and Guidi represent a potential production of 30,000 tons of apricots per year. The cooperation between the two major producers shall consist of the entry of Azienda Agricola Guidi in the Mediterraneo Group. It is a network of highly specialized and independent companies, created with the aim of enhancing the production of the partners of Apofruit Italy. Mediterraneo Group will be responsible for the marketing of Italian apricots on all foreign markets.
THE GOAL OF THE AGREEMENT
In recent years, apricots have been increasingly appreciated by consumers thanks to many important variety innovations. Hence the strengthening of sales and exports strategies. “The goal of the agreement – explains Ilenio Bastoni, general manager of Apofruit Italia – is to strengthen marketing on European and overseas markets. Together we have enough volumes, quality and product innovation to satisfy the most demanding customers”.
EXPORT SALES MARKETS
The most important markets for Italian apricots are currently Germany and the UK. The agreement aims to consolidate exports to Europe and to open up large market shares in Asia and America. “Our group – says Giancarlo Guidi, owner of Società Agricola Guidi – manages 1,600 hectares of land in Serbia and over 1,100 hectares in Italy, 400 of which are cultivated with apricots. The aim is to reach 600 hectares in the next five years, as our production of apricots is growing. This cooperation will allow us to further develop our export sales”.
