Together with his wife and son, Sergio established Antica Via Romea - Green Life, dedicated to the intense cultivation of American blueberry varieties.
Ripening blueberries in Fanano. (Photo: 2016)
The orchards were planted 5 years ago and now plants are almost 2 metres high. Next year, around 4 tons of produce are expected. "80% is sold as fresh product on the local market and, starting next season, also in the Verona and Milan wholesale markets and in Switzerland. The remaining 20% is used to make juice (65% blueberry content), jams and preserves (99% blueberry content)."
The blueberry orchard this summer.
The company, which will receive the organic production certification in November, found the ideal conditions to grow blueberries in Fanano - in addition to a suitable climate, the soil is perfect, as it has a low active lime content and is rather acid, with a pH between 5.5 and 6. "Our objective in the next 4/5 years is to triple the cultivated area to produce 20 tons a year."
Blueberries from Antica Via Romea.
Panini strongly believes in this crop - "blueberry consumption is increasing because it is a superfood, rich in anti-oxidants. Consumption is already high and growing in the US and Europe. In the UK, consumption doubled between 2011 and 2015 and estimates say it will double again between now and 2019. In Italy, people are just starting to appreciate it, so there is a lot of room to grow."
Blueberries from Antica Via Romea.
"Italy should focus more on blueberries and berries in general, especially since we have a longer window to export than others."
Antica Via Romea's blueberry orchard - winter 2015.
In Italy, production starts in June and ends mid-August but, "not considering counterseasonal productions, there is fruit from Morocco and Spain before and Poland afterwards. Only the Italian produce is available between June and mid-July."
Ripening blueberries in Fanano. (Photo: 2016)
The orchards were planted 5 years ago and now plants are almost 2 metres high. Next year, around 4 tons of produce are expected. "80% is sold as fresh product on the local market and, starting next season, also in the Verona and Milan wholesale markets and in Switzerland. The remaining 20% is used to make juice (65% blueberry content), jams and preserves (99% blueberry content)."
The blueberry orchard this summer.
The company, which will receive the organic production certification in November, found the ideal conditions to grow blueberries in Fanano - in addition to a suitable climate, the soil is perfect, as it has a low active lime content and is rather acid, with a pH between 5.5 and 6. "Our objective in the next 4/5 years is to triple the cultivated area to produce 20 tons a year."
Blueberries from Antica Via Romea.
Panini strongly believes in this crop - "blueberry consumption is increasing because it is a superfood, rich in anti-oxidants. Consumption is already high and growing in the US and Europe. In the UK, consumption doubled between 2011 and 2015 and estimates say it will double again between now and 2019. In Italy, people are just starting to appreciate it, so there is a lot of room to grow."
Blueberries from Antica Via Romea.
"Italy should focus more on blueberries and berries in general, especially since we have a longer window to export than others."
Antica Via Romea's blueberry orchard - winter 2015.
In Italy, production starts in June and ends mid-August but, "not considering counterseasonal productions, there is fruit from Morocco and Spain before and Poland afterwards. Only the Italian produce is available between June and mid-July."
Contacts:
Azienda Agricola Antica Via Romea
Via Sasseto, 1289/d
41021 Fanano (MO) - Italia
Tel.: (+39) 0536 69438
Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ilmirtillogigante.com
Azienda Agricola Antica Via Romea
Via Sasseto, 1289/d
41021 Fanano (MO) - Italia
Tel.: (+39) 0536 69438
Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ilmirtillogigante.com
