An overview of berry fruit industry in Piemonte (Italy)

Few hectares are invested in berry fruit species in Piemonte, a mountainous region located in the North West of Italy, but these species, mostly cultivated in small family-managed farms in the slopes of the valleys, are an opportunity to increase the income of the growers. The cultivar range is wide and both new and traditional varieties are grown. The produce is distributed to retailers and supermarkets by grower co-operatives and wholesalers mostly on the national markets of Milano, Bologna, Firenze and Roma. To emphasize the opportunities for the cultivation of these fruits, evaluation trials are done by the Department of Colture Arboree of the Torino University in collaboration with the growers co-operative Piemonte Asprofrut Extension Service Farm in Boves (Cuneo). The results are disseminated among growers and technicians. Research on genotype x environment interactions has been developed to provide evidence of the performance of red and black raspberry, currants and blackberry in Alpine environments. Studies are mostly focused on berry fruit quality, storage methods and out-of-season production.