The strategic partnership between the Società Frutticoltori Trento and Apofruit Italia has been incredibly successful.
The agreement involved the cooperation of Società Frutticolotri Trento with the Apofruit, combining their industrial and the marketing departments, thus putting them under a single management and with the same treatment for both companies in the resolution of and participation in new development projects, starting from the 2018 harvesting.
Candine, the marketing brand for the Regal You variety.
Riccardo Forti, president of the Società Frutticoltori Trento, expressed his satisfaction, “Our company has paid off 11.7 million euros to apple farmer partners – 39% more than the last year’s 8.4 million. We were the only producers who could increase the total liquidated produce, although the increased revenue per kg of apples. We obtained this result thanks to the increased prices which largely compensated the 16% production drop. We are absolutely satisfied with our agreement with Aprofruit Italia. Our revenue is of almost 19 million (13% more) and a net profit of 101.000 euros”.
Apofruit is satisfied with this agreement, as well. Ilenio Bastoni, Apofruit Group general manager, claimed, “This result has been made possible by our producers and by all those who believed in and committed to this project. Over the last years, we carefully planned how to better promote our produce, for instance: through an organic farming conversion plant, through a varietal renovation focused on Club varieties (Pink Lady, Joya, Candine), and through the differentiation of our production thanks to the development of new crops, such as cherries”.
Ilenio Bastoni pointed out, “Additionally, we improved our packaging abilities thus making it more suitable for the contemporary market’s needs. We also worked to improve our marketing network: currently, we can rely on different markets to differentiate our produce. Furthermore, we signed agreements with important distribution chains, both abroad and overseas”.
The Apogfruit Group general manager stated, “The results are clear. Società Frutticoltori Trento is the only company in Trentino that increased its revenue, despite the production drop”.
The two partners are planning to increase the productive base. Bastoni concluded, “Today, we can offer varietal innovation, product differentiation, new projects (such as the small fruits project), large market segments and great marketing support”.
Starting from the 2018 harvesting, there are some things to keep in mind in order to respect the different deadlines:
- Winter apples: first advance payment in December, the second in February until the liquidation in June
- ‘Gala’ group fall apples: first advance payment in December and liquidation in February.
This will further attract farming companies which could benefit from all these opportunities if they work with the two businesses.