Within the framework of the study visit to Italy, the members of the agricultural cooperatives from North Macedonia and Serbia had the opportunity to visit the largest worldwide known Melinda which represents a consortium that produces over 400,000 tons of apples in the Non and Sole Valleys. A big family of over 4000 families of member-farmers, divided into 16 cooperatives, that live and cultivate apple-farms in the Noce Valleys representing the of quality and sustainability of the Italian fruit.
The Melinda consortium in Trentino, and all 16 cooperatives in its composition deals with the most modern and high tech capacities for storage, packaging, distribution, promotion and sale of different varieties of apples.
Melinda’s work model was presented to the group, from branding and geographical indication to the most sophisticated preservation of apples with hypogeal cells – the first and only in the world. Тhe added value of the visit were the information’s on the use of 100% renewable sources; responsible use of water; creation of animal friendly ecosystem; increased organic production and respecting the nature timing.
Also, the group had the chance to visit and Mondo Melinda the “Golden Theatre show” and the underground warehouses for storage of the Melinda apples “The hypogeal cells” where the apples are protected even from the human breath. The cooperative ”Mivor” in the South Tyrolean valley Val Venosta was also part of the study visit. It’s about a top modern automatic facility, 100% digitalized and state-of-the-art technology for protection, storage and packaging of apples!
