Elena Picozzi and Gianluigi Quagelli.
"It is a unique apple, as it is fresh and healthy, but also rich in vitamins and mineral salts. Its sugar content is above average and its crunchiness and juiciness are also impressive," explained Gianluigi Quagelli, chairman of Melavi.
The average diameter of apples varies between 65 and 85-90 mm, whereas these "miniature" apples measure 53-63 mm, on top of having a very long shelf-life.
One App and Melavì (which gathers 75% of Valtellina apple producers) signed an agreement to use the brand and have therefore become the exclusive managers of this variety for the Italian markets with distribution rights in Switzerland, Spain and Russia.
Elena Picozzi, Gianluigi Quagelli and Tiziano Caprioli.
The internationalization strategy for the brand is based on the selection of foreign distributors. Rockit used to be produced only in New Zealand but now it is being produced also in US and South Africa. Until 2017, therefore, these apples will be available only between April/October. Production in Valtellina will start in 2018 and then the fruit will be available the whole year round thanks to the alternation between the two hemispheres.
Rockit on sale in a Taiwanese supermarket.
"Innovation is not as common in the fruit world. In this case, both the variety and the packaging are new. It is a new way to eat apples that we need to promote," explained Tiziano Caprioli, sales manager for Melavì.
At the moment, Rockit is only on sale in a big supermarket chain, but new channels will be to reach the consumer target - shops, bars, airports, motorways, sports and wellness facilities, golf clubs, stadiums and beaches. So far, prices have been imposed by New Zealand.
For further info:
Società agricola Melavì
Email: info@melavi.it
Web: www.melavi.it
One App srl
Email: info@oneappsrl.net
Web: www.oneappsrl.net