The varieties of strawberry de Nova Siri Genetics (NSG), an Italian genetic improvement company in the berry sector, continue their rise in production areas characterized by a Mediterranean climate. In particular, in the southern regions of Italy, where strawberry production is concentrated in the winter and spring months, nurserymen authorized by the company distributed 70 million plants , with a growth of 7% compared to the last campaign.  “We are registering a Increasing demand of our strawberry varieties by producers in southern Italy – states Carmela Suriano, company director for EMEA – who increasingly appreciate the rusticity, precocity and quality of the fruits of the varieties patented by NSG.

The hardiness of the plants has become a fundamental characteristic for strawberry producers, given the increase in production on tired soils, in the presence of adverse climatic conditions and with strong limitations on the use of phytogenic products. Early and scalable production "It allows us to supply the markets already in the autumn months with a high quality standard in terms of shape, color and organoleptic quality of the fruit."

These aspects are the main strengths of the NSG cultivars that have contributed to their success, which has resulted in an increase in demand in the last three years, which in Italy it is 32% .

Carmela Suriano, EMEA director of the company

With more than 35 million plants distributed for the 2023/24 campaign, which is equivalent to 14% more than the last campaign, the NSG 203 strawberry variety (marketed under the Marimbella® brand ) is the variety most requested by producers. Marimbella®, used both as a rooted top and as a fresh plant, is already produced in Campania, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily. 

Together with Marimbella®, the NSG 465 variety – Rossetta® is growing in the premium segment, marking an increase of 32% compared to 2023. “The positive results obtained so far – explains Nicola Tufaro, NSG breeder – They push us to continue our research work, aimed at satisfying current and future productive and market needs.

Nicola Tufaro , NSG breeder

We have other selections saved both in our experimental fields and in trials in those of our partners, which are showing promise to provide more competitive advantages to nurseries and producers. In addition to strawberries, NSG's research also focuses on other berries.

The result is the presence within the research center of new experimental fields of raspberry and blackberry, in which there are approximately 1.500 selections, among which some are already interesting, according to the research company. Also this year, NSG will open the doors of its research and testing center for one day in March, to show news and details of its activity to all supply chain actors interested in its activity. The date and program will be revealed in the coming weeks.