The Berryway international berry producer network has launched a project to set up a professional production chain linking various Italian territories in order to supply fruit 12 months a year.
Berryway was founded in 2013. Its president is Carlo Lingua (RK Growers) and its sales manager is Romualdo Riva. Over the years, the group has acquired licences from various soft fruit breeders so much so that its assortment now boasts strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and even unusual varieties such as pineberies and strasberries.
"We focus on high-quality as we would damage the market by only focusing on the lowest prices. We need to bear in mind that the per capita consumption of soft fruit in Italy is still low if compared with that of the UK or US. We are talking about less than 200 gr per capita a year against 900 gr in the UK and 1.8 kg in the US. There is still plenty of potential. Focusing on high-quality and a suitable in-store presentation (i.e. on so-called impulse buys) is essential."
After collaborating with Surexport, one of the leading producers in the Huelva region (a leading soft fruit producer), for 10 years, Berryway can now provide growers not only with interesting varieties but also with technology, know-how and assistance.
In October 2019, Sicilian company Barbera will carry out the first raspberry and blueberry transplants in the Adrano area (CT), which boasts ideal soil and water conditions.
Owner Alessandro Barbera is thrilled about it and had already stipulated an agreement with RK Growers for Arra grapes.
Alessandro Barbera and Carlo Lingua
"When we visited Surexport with Carlo Lingua we were struck not only by the advanced facilities but also by its availability in sharing its know-how. In our territory, a drop in employment would be extremely relevant for the territory," stated Barbera.
Carlo Lingua stressed that "we are looking to involve not only Sicily but also Calabria, Puglia, Basilicata, Campania and Lazio. Retailers have shown a lot of enthusiasm about an Italian high-quality soft fruit chain. It is not just a question of Brix levels, but also of aroma, appeal and emotion. Together with suitable technologies and our partner, this is what we will use to win over consumers."
Contacts:
Berryway
Via Beato Ancina, 8
12037 Saluzzo (CN) - Italy
Tel.: (+39) 0175 46269 (R. Riva)
Cell.: (+39) 334 3220653 (R.Riva)
Cell.: (+39) 348 7822078 (C. Lingua)
Email: barbara.allisio@berryway.it