The pear sector has become rather complicated, but La Grande Bellezza italiana, Italy's first fruit and vegetable network, continues its commitment to a sector that has been a driving force for the industry.
"Italian pears," says founding member Leonardo Odorizzi, "boast unique characteristics in terms of taste and beauty, which are recognised all over the world. The warehouse dedicated to the processing of pears, including the 13 types on which the LGBI organisation is based, has invested in quality technology over the past three years. Units are among the few in Italy to feature a dynamic controlled atmosphere technology, which allows us to achieve the taste that has made Italian pears famous, even after medium-long storage.
This is a technology that acts on fruit preservation without altering its ripening cycle once storage is over. Odorizzi continues: "Pera Mantovana IGP was launched in 2022 thanks to an agreement with producers in the Mantua area. It is one of the oldest fruits in the country, as evidence dates it back to 1472. Testing is underway by some Italian chains, and consumer feedback is good, so we are working on increasing the number of certified hectares. The grades placed in the packages is medium-large, in line with the premium positioning that a PGI mark must guarantee."
The LGBI network also includes six other PGIs, including PGI grapes from Apulia, PGI peaches from Verona, PGI radicchio from Verona, PGI clementines from Taranto, PGI apples from Cuneo and PGI Margherita white onions.
"Our pear varieties included in the PGI mark are William and Abate. There are six large-scale retail chains with which we have commercial agreements. We started at the beginning of September with William and then with Abate. Fruits are available either packaged in trays with flow-packs or labelled loose."
"Our objective to promote the produce so that growers can get the right price for their work. Our commitment is constant and reaching our goal is not easy, but we work for it every day," concludes Odorizzi.
For more information
La Grande Bellezza Italiana
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www.lagrandebellezzaitaliana.it