Italy: Bragantini cherry campaign has started

Established in the 1920s in Verona, the fourth generation of the Bragantini family is now working in the business. "At the time, we mainly sold apples in wooden crates. They were loaded on trains to reach Denmark and Sweden," explains Stefano Pezzo.

The company nowadays specialises in cherries. The season has just started, with considerable delay because of the weather. The website also includes video sections dedicated to the various processing options.

"The year was complicated but the product is good. We're currently packaging the so-called More di Verona, which look good despite the bad weather of the past few months. Quantities are low, but we're hoping to work at least until July 10th thanks to staggered harvesting."

Grades range from 22 to 26 mm. "Usually our produce does not reach the range of other cherries like for example Ferrovia from Puglia. We're packaging the fruit in 500 gram and 1 kg punnets and trays, 2 kg crates and loose (5 kg)."

Bragantini sells cherries under its own Romeo & Juliet and cuore rosso Cherry Passion brands, but also works for supermarket Private Labels. Most of the produce is destined to northern Italian retailers."