The strawberry and berry world welcomes a fascinating and promising novelty - white strawberries, a fruit with a distinctive appearance due to its milky white color and a taste characterized by tropical notes of pineapple and exotic fruits.
Loris Gentile, founder of Gentile Group in Basilicata, explains that "we have included white strawberries in our production catalog driven by our curiosity about this beautiful and inviting fruit, which is enjoying gradual commercial success both in the markets and in the H&R channel. Deliveries to Italian supermarkets should start in 10 days' time, and we are currently shipping to the general markets of Brescia, Turin, Milan, Verona, Genoa, Florence, etc. At the moment, we allocate 30 packages per customer, for a total of 3 pallets marketed per week, though volumes will tend to triple soon. We are also registering positive responses in terms of plant production. The peak of production is expected between March and April, guaranteeing a wide harvest window to meet the growing demand of our customers."
To date, the area invested by Gentile Group in white strawberries is one hectare, with a total harvested volume exceeding 70 tonnes. "Agronomic management requires special attention, as this is a delicate fruit that needs specific techniques to preserve its freshness and quality. The price on the market is high, we are talking about €28/kg (€ 3.50 for a 125 g pack), but we expect it to drop in the coming weeks, when availability will increase."
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Francesca Quinto, co-founder of the company, adds that "we are the first Italian company to have experimented with this interesting strawberry variety and the interest it has aroused among our customers is very high. We use the 8x125 sales format, as this is a premium price product: 6-8 fruits are meticulously selected thereby guaranteeing a high quality for consumers. We also have a dedicated graphic design with a blue sales label to emphasize the typical brightness and purity of the fruit."
In addition to their aesthetic and organoleptic value, white strawberries also become a valid option for those suffering from food allergies and intolerances thanks to their reduced content of the Fragaria allergen A1 protein, responsible for most allergic reactions to red strawberries. "Recent studies confirm that the level of this allergen in white strawberries is up to seven times lower than in the red varieties, making it potentially more suitable for those who are intolerant or allergic to red strawberries. With this in mind, white strawberries are preparing to conquer the market, as they offer an exclusive and refined alternative for the most curious palates and those looking for a fruit with an unmistakable flavor, with potential benefits for allergy sufferers as well."
For more information:
Gentile Group Soc.coop agr
Via Massimo D'azeglio 8
75025 - Policoro (MT)
+39 379 2280437
direzione@gentilegroupitalia.it
gentilegroupitalia.it