Two major Italian groups have formed an alliance to provide large-scale supplies of organic fresh produce on an international basis.

An agreement signed by Alegra, part of Conerpo, Europe's largest fresh-produce association, and Mustiola International, Italy's leading operator in the organic sector, is designed to offer multiples throughout Europe 'more efficient, efficacious and complete responses and, for consumers, the maximum guarantees of quality and reliability of the products.' Founded in Cesena in 1984, Mustiola International comprises 300 growers working 3,000 hectares producing 12,000 tonnes of organic produce worth ?13.5 million.

Alegra was first formed as a group that comprised Intesa, Emiliafrutta, Italfrutta and OVR. Its 6,000 members produce 470,000t annually worth ?350m and worked in 22 packhouses. It already collaborates with various other organic growers of citrus, potatoes, onions, strawberries, peaches apricots, clementines and grapes.

Under the agreement with Mustiola International, Alegra will concentrate on selling its Gusta BIO organic range throughout Italian and European multiples. Mustiola will work through specialised retail outlets and in the hotel, restaurant and catering sector. The two partners will prepare and package their organic produce at Mustiola's state-of-the art Cesena plant.

Gianni Amidei, a director of Alegra, said the partnership would combine the organisational and marketing skills of the two partners into a fully integrated service.

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