More than 30 companies and organisations involved in the sale, export and marketing of more than two-thirds of Italy's fresh pear production have formed a new interprofessional organisation.
Established with the support of the regional authorities in Emilia-Romagna, Italy's leading source of pears, the OI Pera organisation will work to improve production practices and market conditions, as well as coordinating marketing activities aimed at increasing the sector's competitiveness in the domestic and export arenas.
Inaugural OI Pera president Gianni Amidei, the Agrintesa managing director who has been asked to lead the organisation for the first three years, will be assisted by a total of 21 representatives drawn in equal number from the production, trading and processing sectors.
Ferrara-based research and marketing agency CSO will assist the organisation in an administrative role.
"We have finally reached the concluding act with the birth of an interprofessional organisation that involves players from the whole fresh produce supply chain," commented Tiberio Rabboni, minister of agriculture for Emilia-Romagna.
"Within the pear sector, this is an unprecedented effort in terms of its collegiate and shared nature. I hope that this experience will encourage other sectors that are experiencing similar challenges."
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