 Governor of Nagano Prefecture (right) and President of VOG (left) shaking hands after signing contract (in Nagano Prefecture) Large-scale commercial cultivation of Shinano Gold yellow apples developed in Nagano Prefecture will start in South Tyrol, Italy. Nagano Prefectural Government has signed a license contract with the South Tyrolean Fruit Growers’ Cooperatives (VOG) and the Val Venosta Cooperative Association (VI-P) on March 24, 2016. Italian-grown Shinano Gold apples will be sold in Europe and surrounding areas and the prefecture will receive license fees. Nagano expects that this will also help it to promote Nagano Brand in Europe. Shinano Gold is a medium-late season apple variety with well-balanced sour-sweetness. It was developed by Nagano Prefecture in 1999. The two European fruit grower’s associations expect Shinano Gold to become popular in the European market, following Golden Delicious, the main brand of European yellow apples. Shinano Gold will be marketed in Europe under the Yellow brand of the Shinano Gold variety. In 2015, 10 metric tons of Shinano Gold was sold in Europe on a trial basis. (Mar. 25, 2016) |