Orsero Group, an Italy-headquartered produce major, has recently launched a joint venture with the Molari family to venture into the market for soft berries. The new venture, named I Frutti di Gil, aims to produce and sell berries, with Orsero owning 51% of the business alongside Cerchia Holding. The Molari family, represented by berry-industry specialists Matteo and Luca Molari, will serve as co-CEOs of the joint venture.
With 20 years of experience in fruit breeding, the Molaris bring valuable expertise to the partnership. The venture is expected to leverage Orsero’s extensive sales network in Italy and robust marketing capabilities. The collaboration is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on the growing demand for healthy and fresh products, particularly in the food and beverage industry.
Raffaella Orsero and Matteo Colombini, co-CEOs of Orsero, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating, “We live in a historical period in which the search for solutions comfortable and practical for consuming healthy and fresh products is constant. Berries are quick and easy to consume, and fully respond to this need.” They added, “We couldn’t choose a better ally for developing this path than the Molari family, specialists in berries, who share our vision of growth and constant search for quality.”
The berries produced by the joint venture will be collected from farmers and shipped to Orsero’s warehouses, with plans to establish a distribution center in Verona. Luca Molari highlighted the commitment and passion that will drive the success of the venture, emphasizing the unique varietal choices and distribution capacity that will enable widespread distribution in Italy.
Orsero’s presence spans across several countries, including Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia. The company’s operations involve both production and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables, bananas, and pineapples. Listed on the Euronext Milan, Orsero continues to expand its market presence and offerings.
The Molari family, through its companies G-Berries and Molari Società Agricola, specializes in nursery propagation of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and goji berries. Their expertise complements Orsero’s capabilities in the production and distribution of berries.
Despite challenges in the first quarter of 2024, Orsero reported total revenue of €337.9m, reflecting a 2.7% decrease from the previous year. The net profit stood at €5m, showing a 61.7% decline compared to the same period last year.
As the partnership between Orsero and the Molari family takes shape, the focus remains on driving growth, innovation, and quality in the competitive food and drink business landscape. With a shared vision and complementary strengths, the joint venture is poised to make a significant impact in the food and beverage industry.
