The apple-producing sector of South Tyrol – Südtirol now has a new entity aimed at reinforcing the joint efforts of the region’s producer organizations. It’s called alpoma, the new Association of Producer Organizations (AOP) founded by VOG, VIP and VOG Products.
The new AOP was officially presented today in Terlano by the presidents Georg Kössler (VOG), Thomas Oberhofer (VIP), and Johannes Runggaldier (VOG Products). While preserving the autonomy and identity of its three member organizations, alpoma will help achieve the development goals of the local fruit-growing sector in a more efficient and coordinated manner.
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Among its responsibilities, alpoma will coordinate research and the management of new apple varieties, as well as implement research and development projects for South Tyrol’s fruit sector, in collaboration with the Laimburg Research Centre. Environmental initiatives will also be enhanced through the expansion of renewable energy sources, the implementation of water treatment systems for sustainable resource use, and other innovative solutions to optimize production processes. The AOP will also strengthen cooperation in investment matters, particularly in the processed products segment managed by VOG Products.
“alpoma was born from the idea of becoming stronger through collaboration,” explained Kössler, who is also the president of the new association. “This new entity will allow us to better coordinate our existing partnerships and, where necessary, strengthen and expand them. Other areas, such as production and sales, will continue to be managed independently by VOG, VIP and VOG Products. This means that producers and commercial partners will continue to work with the same contacts and procedures as before.”
