The VOG Association scooped the Grappolo d’Oro (Golden Grape Cluster) for export for its dedication to Italy’s fruit and vegetable sector at Macfrut, which was this year declared a success.

The VOG Association, which exported 295,000 tonnes of apples in Europe and the countries of the Mediterranean basin in 2008, won the award during the Cesena show earlier this month.

Each year the prize, which was founded by Corriere Ortofrutticolo magazine in co-operation with the Italian trade association which represents entrepreneurs in the fruit and vegetable sector, Fruitimprese, and Centro Servizi Ortofrutticoli, is given to Italy’s top fruit and vegetable exporter.

The honour was presented to the Terlano-based association during Macfrut, the international exhibition dedicated to the fruit and vegetable sector, which was held in Cesena, Italy, from October 7-9.

On receiving the accolade, Gerhard Dichgans, chairman and director of the VOG Association, said: “It is an honour to receive this award, which recognises our results in Europe and the countries of the Mediterranean basin.”

The VOG Association is formed from 19 fruit growers’ co-operatives based in South Tyrol. It represents the interests of 5,600 farmers and in 2007-08 generated a turnover of €450 million (£410m). Every year VOG, whose fruits are sold in 53 countries worldwide, markets over half a million tonnes of apples - a quarter of the entire Italian harvest and approximately eight per cent of the European apple harvest.

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