The 43rd edition of the Macfrut, and for us at Milone Nurseries this fair represented a strategic turning point. Represented by Maria Grazia Milone, we participated enthusiastically in a context that this year exceeded all expectations, confirming that varietal innovation and the link with the territory are the real drivers of tomorrow's agriculture.
This year our presence at Macfrut was part of the collective stand of Extraordinary Calabria. This is a key showcase, strongly desired by our Agriculture Councillor, Gianluca Gallo, who continues to vigorously invest in the sector and in communicating the quality of Calabrian products.
Being part of this common space has allowed us to tell the story of how nursery gardening excellence is the basis of the regional fruit and vegetable supply chain and beyond. Thanks to this institutional synergy, we showed an international audience that Calabria is not only a land of tradition, but a technological and productive hub capable of competing at the highest global levels.
The most technically relevant moment of the fair was the consolidation of collaboration with Variety Innovation. Peter Turner, director of Variety Innovation Asia & EU, officially announced that, thanks to the agreement with Vivai Milone, Italian citrus growers will finally have the opportunity to legally access the prized variety Nadorcott and the selection ARCCIT9.
The latter represents an extraordinary development: a Nadorcott characterized by a particularly small number of seeds, responding perfectly to the demands of the modern market that demands high-quality “seedless” fruit. However, this will not be a mass distribution: access will be granted for a limited number of hectares, following a strict rationale of product selection and enhancement to ensure elite market positioning for farmers who will invest in these varieties.
The discussion at Macfrut was a prelude to an immediate operational step. The agreements made with Peter Turner and his team will soon bring the Vivai Milone team into South Africa For a dedicated technical trip.
The goal is to view directly in the field the behavior of these varieties in their full productive development. This mission will allow us to transfer to our nursery not only the plant material, but the entire cultivation protocol necessary to maximize plant yield.
Soon, these selections will be available for multiplication at our facilities, providing a unique and legal opportunity for Italian producers.
The numbers of this edition speak for themselves: over 1,400 exhibitors and a growth in 12% of international visitors from more than 80 countries. Macfrut confirmed itself as the world's navel for the supply chain.
For a nursery like ours, which specializes in certified citrus, fruit and olive trees, these figures represent an opening to new markets and confirmation that the industry is looking for reliable partners. The constant dialogue with institutions, buyers and researchers during the three-day fair reaffirmed that competitiveness inevitably comes from plant health and varietal innovation.
The announcement of the Nadorcott and ARCCIT9 varieties raises a topic dear to us at Milone Nurseries: legality and quality in nursery gardening.
We return from Macfrut 2026 with the pride of having represented Calabria and with the responsibility of managing varieties that will change the face of Italian citrus farming.
The future of fruit and vegetables is being built today, through international partnerships of excellence and the support of local institutions. We at Milone Nurseries are ready to bring these world innovations to your fields.
Contact us to find out the details of the agreement and stay tuned for the logbook of our mission to South Africa!
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