Marimbella® in full production, Rossetta® coming in: that is how continuity is ensured in the main growing areas
In an opening season marked by cold weather, rains and significant temperature fluctuations, the Italian strawberry campaign has found a decisive ally in the genetic material of NSG – Nova Siri Genetics. In the main areas of southern Italy, the varieties from the Italian breeding programme are guaranteeing earliness, productive capacity and high quality standards, elements that are making a difference at this stage both in the large-scale distribution and in wholesale channels.
Marimbella® is in full production in the key districts and Rossetta® is progressively coming in to support the season.
Cold weather and rain do not stop production
The first few weeks of 2026 were anything but easy in terms of climate conditions. Several areas in southern Italy experienced cold temperatures, with lows below zero and heavy rainfalls. In the Caserta area, for example, temperatures dropped by up to 5 °C compared to the same period last year, with days characterised by frost at night.
Despite this situation, NSG varieties are now in regular production in the main strawberry-growing districts of southern Italy, confirming their good ability to adapt to adverse weather conditions and their production stability, which is a key factor in commercial planning.
Marimbella® opens the campaign in advance
Among the leading varieties, NSG 203 – Marimbella®, stands out, confirming its suitability to earliness, once again this year. In the cultivations established with fresh plants from Central Europe, the first fruits ripened as early as the last ten days of December, allowing producers to enter the market at a particularly strategic time.
Marimbella® is currently in full production in the Metapontino area of Basilicata, the Lamezia Terme plain in Calabria, and the Sele and Caserta plains in Campania, ensuring continuity of offer at a time when product availability is still limited at European level.
From a product category perspective, Marimbella® is distinguished by consistent production and organoleptic characteristics, parameters that are receiving positive feedback throughout the supply chain. At this stage, the demand on the domestic market is bustling, with requests coming from both large-scale retailers and the main wholesale fruit and vegetable markets, which are looking for products that combine visual impact, post-harvest shelf life and organoleptic properties.
Rossetta® comes on the scene to support production volumes
In recent days, NSG 465 – Rossetta®has also been added to strengthen production. This variety is now starting to produce good quality fruits. From an agronomic point of view, the plant shows high production potential, which suggests a season characterised by abundant volumes and constant quality standards.
The gradual entrance of Rossetta® complements the peak phase of Marimbella®, helping to build a more continuous production curve and reduce supply gaps in the middle of the season.
Soil and soilless, dual production methods
Another interesting feature is the versatility of NSG varieties, which are successfully grown both in soil and in soilless systems. This flexibility allows farms to adapt their technical management to their own structures and different soil and climate conditions, while maintaining high fruit quality standards.
Meanwhile, NSG is evaluating new crosses in its experimental fields in Basilicata and is ready to launch the new NSG 48 variety, which will be marketed under the Elyson® brand.
Nella foto di apertura frutti di Rossetta® sulla pianta.
Fuente: Italiafruit News
