Apofruit Italia (with more than 4.000 partners, 12 processing plants, 15 collection and storage centres, 320 million euros in annual turnover) and the Gruppo Agricola Guidi (400 hectares of apricot trees, more than 60 million euros in turnover) have signed an agreement for the export of apricots. Both the companies are among the major Italian players.
Together, Apofriut and Guidi represent a productive potential of 30.000 tons of apricot per year. This quantity makes them one of the global biggest producers and aggregation model within the apricot sector.
The collaboration between the companies will pass through Azienda Agricola Guidi in Mediterraneo Group – a network of highly specialised companies that aims at promoting the production of Apofruit Italia’s partners, ensuring the continuity of supplies. Mediterraneo Group will be responsible for marketing apricots in all foreign markets.
Recently, apricots have been increasingly appreciated by the consumers, especially regarding the varietal innovation – which pushed the consumption. That is why we optimized and improved our marketing and export strategies.
Ilenio Bastoni, Apofruit Italia general manager, explained, “The goal of the agreement is the improvement of the marketing on the European and overseas markets. For the foreign markets, we will have the volumes, the quality and the innovation able to satisfy even the most demanding consumer.
Currently, European markets have the highest absorption of Italian apricot, especially the German and the English ones. The agreement aims at solidifying the export in Europe and at opening new marketing channels in Asia and America.
Ilenio Bastoni added, “In the few next years, apricot production will increase. In order to keep its value intact, it is crucial to continue the ‘brand politics’ and to come up with a development strategy for the foreign markets”.
Giancarlo Guidi, the owner of Società Agricola Guidi di Roncofreddo, stated, “Our Group is the national leader in the production of niche slow growth poultry products. Our supply chain does not use antibiotics. We manage 1.600 hectares in Serbia and more than 1.100 hectares in Italy – 400 of which are for apricots. The goal is to reach 600 hectares by the next five years”. Guidi added, “Our apricot production is increasing. This collaboration will give us the opportunity to work together with a partner that can successfully support us for the development of our exports”.
Finally, the agreement between Apofruit Italia and the Gruppo Agricola Guidi establishes a highly specialised offer, involving 100% Italian apricots, both from the organic production and ‘Zero Residue’ integrated production”.