It is a new early bicolor apple that was born from the collaboration between Sanifrutta and CIV: its name is Lilibet and it ripens 5 days before Gala. It stands out for its bright red overcolor and particularly sweet, crisp and juicy flesh. Another peculiarity is its prolonged shelf life, which guarantees excellent storage performance.
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Apple CIVM35 (Lilibet)
Sanifrutta, an agricultural cooperative in the province of Cuneo, and the Italian Nurserymen's Consortium have signed an agreement to start experimentation so as to implement the subsequent development of an exclusive club project in Italy of this Lilibet®/CIVM35* variety.
Eraldo Barale, managing director of Sanifrutta, says, “This variety performs very well in terms of taste and is particularly attractive, with the advantage of early entry into the apple market.”.
“The current challenges in apple growing,‘ adds Alex Tallone, technical department manager of Sanifrutta, ’concern environmental and weather conditions. Lilibet has several characteristics that make it suitable for the changing conditions, and it finds in the foothills crops an ideal area where the bright red overcolor of the fruit stands out, with an excellent response to the so-called ”easy to grow,' easy to harvest, a key point for the grower.".
From left, Eraldo Barale (Sanifrutta managing director), Federico Stanzani (CIV sales director) and right Alberto Boschero (Sanifrutta agronomist)
Resistance to scab is another characteristic that is combined with the plant's ease of management, which exhibits low sensitivity to production alternation.
CIV's collaboration with Sanifrutta will enable both entities to leverage each other's strengths for more efficient and rapid joint development, resulting in improved agronomic and production outcomes.
For Federico Stanzani, commercial director of CIV, this experience is very important for the apple market: “The partnership with Sanifrutta was born from the idea of developing a project capable of bringing tangible innovation to the apple sector. Lilibet immediately showed itself to be the right apple for this purpose and allowed us to carry out an activity of great scope for the Italian landscape thanks to the expertise of CIV with its members and Sanifrutta.”.
For more information
Sanifrutta Soc. Agr. Cooperativa
Via dei Falchi 13, 12024 
Costigliole Saluzzo (CN)
+39 0175 230061
www.sanifrutta.com
Publication date: Mon Jul 1, 2024
