With ever-increasing consumer approval, and following a positive 2021 campaign (over a million euros in revenue between blueberries and raspberries), the increase in cultivated areas for small red berries that The JOINFRUIT producers' organisation of Verzuolo predicted in 2021, also outlines interesting prospects for 2022.
The increase in the surface area involved anticipated in 2021 is 8 hectares (including 4 of blueberries, 3.5 of raspberries and half of blackberries, (with related rain and hail protection covers), a growth that will allow JOINFRUIT to reach a total area of approximately 30 hectares cultivated with berries in soil and to give further impetus to a sector that is among the most dynamic in the fruit and vegetable industry, with a consistent increase in production both in Italy and in other European countries.
“The specific microclimate of the piedmont area of Cuneo – explains Michele Ponso, Vice-President of OP Joinfruit and President of the Ponso Agricultural Cooperative of Saluzzo which gathers the majority of the group's berry producers – is suitable for growing red fruits in soil: The significant daily temperature variation gives blueberries, raspberries and blackberries their intense colour, sweetness and juiciness, whilst the naturally acidic soil of the hilly areas near the woods provides the ideal habitat for blueberries, which in fact used to grow wild here historically. The province of Cuneo is an area ideally suited to the cultivation of small red fruits; in fact, it accounts for 80% of the land devoted to these crops in Piedmont.’
JOINFRUIT's goal is to offer consumers blueberries, raspberries and blackberries of excellent quality, both through correct selection of size, colour and quality of individual fruits, and through varietal programming that allows for an extended marketing period. The new blueberry plantings will be of Duke, with a 75% of medium-late varieties, whilst for raspberries the new plantings will be of Clarita of the re-flowering type and also other once-bearing varieties, to extend the harvesting and supply period on the markets from May until the beginning of December. For blackberries, however, three varieties: Lochtay, Lochness e Chester, so as to extend the period of marketing.
“Among the main challenges in the commercialisation of berries Rossi – adds Michael Ponso – the aim is to ensure the quality and consistency of supply to large-scale retailers: the new varieties, combined with the soil and climatic conditions of our region, which boasts a production area extending from the valley up to an altitude of 1,000 metres above sea level, allow us to produce red fruits with excellent organoleptic qualities and, at the same time, to extend distribution periods and maintain appropriate selling prices, which are fundamental for stimulating a ‘sprint’ in the consumption of these fruits.”
“We have decided to increase the cultivation of small red fruits because in recent years it has been a production that has represented an interesting added value. - concludes Bruno Sacchi, Director of Joinfruit – and, despite per capita consumption in Italy still being one-fifth compared to Northern European populations, in the near future we anticipate strong growth for these fruits in our country too, which have important nutritional characteristics for consumer well-being and health.”
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