More than one hundred people, including producers and technicians, attended the “Lilibet Day” on August 12, in Falicetto in the province of Cuneo: a new early apple was presented here, with an event hosted in the variety's first commercial planting. The initiative, entirely organized by Sanifrutta, introduced Lilibet®, the new early apple developed by CIV, Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti, and entrusted exclusively to Sanifrutta for production and marketing in Europe.
Lots of people at the Aug. 12 technical day
“It is a variety that we have been following for more than 5 years in different areas,” explained Alex Tallone and Alberto Boschero, technicians at Sanifrutta. "It is liked for its characteristics of earliness, size, bright color, (it has excellent intensity even in areas with not too high altitudes), and above all flavor. The project includes cultivation not only in Piedmont, but also in other regions and abroad, subject to agreement. Excellent resistance to scab.".
The apple is two-tone and very sweet
Lilibet is early, with harvest about a week before Gala. It is bicolor, bright red-orange, with coverage up to 50-60% in the most vocated areas. It has sweet and juicy flesh with low acidity, optimal size (75-85 mm), resistant to scab, a characteristic that reinforces its sustainability and long shelf life, with crispness and juiciness guaranteed for more than 10 months.
From left: Alex Tallone, Andrea Farinelli, Elena Piccoli and Alberto Boschero
“Lilibet is a variety that was born in Italy,” explained Elena Piccoli, IP Manager of CIV, "with the first development project started right in Piedmont, thanks to the joint work between CIV and Sanifrutta. Lilibet represents a project in which we believe a lot, because it stems from the desire to propose to the European market an early apple that combines organoleptic qualities, natural resistance and environmental sustainability.".
“Lilibet," Tallone and Boschero continued, "represents not only a new commercial opportunity, but also a shared challenge: to enhance a new generation Italian apple and accompany its development in Europe with a network of motivated and competent producers. Just in these weeks we are defining the logo and the brand identity of Lilibet, key tools to support its market positioning.”.
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“Piedmont is the ideal starting point for this journey,” concluded Andrea Farinelli, assistant breeder at CIV, "and the direct involvement of local producers shows how the project has a solid foundation to grow in the coming years.
For more information
C.I.V. Italian Nurserymen's Consortium
S.S. Romea 116
44020 San Giuseppe di Comacchio (FE) - Italy
+39 0533 399431
info@civ.it
www.civ.it
Date of publication: thurs 21 Aug 2025
