Greenery Sant Orsola

Dutch fresh produce company The Greenery has signed an agreement with Italian group Sant'Orsola to exclusively produce, test and market new raspberry varieties for the Dutch market.

The agreement, which was signed by the two companies at Sant'Orsola's headquarters in Pergine Valsugana, north-eastern Italy, gives The Greenery exclusive, year-round access to several raspeberry varieties being developed by Sant Orsola’s breeding programme.

Also included in the agreement is a licence agreement under which Sant'Orsola will give The Greenery exclusive production rights for the Netherlands and worldwide rights of sale.

The new breeds, described by The Greenery as 'highly promising', have been selected on the basis of flavour, fruit size, shelf-life and production suitability. They will be tested by The Greenery’s growers over the next few years.

The Sant'Orsola agreement ties in with The Greenery's aim to expand its soft fruit category with new varieties that offer exceptional flavour and are suited to being sold via both the retail and trade channels.

The deal follows similar agreements established previously with international agricultural companies including Plant Sciences Inc in the US and Angus Soft Fruit in Scotland.

Italian cooperative Sant'Orsola is Italy's leading soft fruit company and markets the production of approximately 1,000 growers not only in its home province of Trento but also in areas of southern Italy.