Italian-Chilean consortium Origine Group is looking to expand its kiwifruit offering with the addition of a new red variety developed by Chinese producer Hua Sheng Agricultural.
Last week, Origine’s managing director Alessandro Zampagna and sales manager Reen Nordin visited Feng Bai, general manager of Hua Sheng Agricultural one of the biggest kiwifruit producers in the south-west province of Sichuan.
Hua Sheng Agricultural grows over 150ha of yellow and red kiwifruit, with a focus on its own, patented varieties developed in cooperation with the Kiwifruit Research Institute of the Sichuan Provincial Academy of Natural Resource Sciences, led by Professor Li Minzhang.
During the visit, Origine showed particular interest in one of Hua Sheng’s red varieties, which it wants to develop in Italy.
At the same time, the Chinese company wish to learn more about the cultivation techniques developed by Origine Group’s members. The visit continued in the new packhouse and in the up-to-date research and analysis laboratories. The two companies concluded the meeting laying the foundation for a cooperation agreement.
Founded in 2015, the Origine Group consortium is made up of Italy’s Afe, Apofruit, Fruit C2, Gran Frutta Zani, Kiwi Uno, Op Kiwi Sole, Pempa-Corer, Salvi-Unacoa, Spreafico, Minguzzi and Chilean groups David Del Curto and Copefrut. It has a combined turnover of more than US$1.2bn.
