What Biosüdtirol does

Biosüdtirol is a cooperative brand representing approximately 300-350 organic apple farmers in South Tyrol, Italy, operating as a member of the VOG Consortium of South Tyrolean Fruit Growers Cooperatives headquartered in Terlan. The organization produces and sells 12 certified-organic apple varieties (Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Fuji, Topaz, Pinova, Red Delicious, GoldRush®, Natyra®, Story® Inored, and Bonita) under multiple certifications (EU Organic IT Bio 2013, Bioland, Naturland, and Demeter for biodynamic subset), commanding a price premium of up to 50% over conventional apples while accepting approximately 30% lower yields per hectare.

Operations span the full orchard-to-shelf chain: individual farmers grow and harvest apples (typically 2-5 picking rounds per variety across an end-July to end-November harvest window), which are then consolidated at VOG cooperative facilities for sorting, weighing, residue testing, packaging, and controlled-atmosphere nitrogen storage that extends shelf life until the following July. Distribution flows through VOG's refrigerated trucking network to retail fresh-produce sections and food-service operators across European markets, with imperfect fruit routed to food-processing channels for juice, puree, baby food, and other processed products. The apple juice product line (Braeburn/Fuji/Pinova blend) is the only branded processed SKU beyond fresh apples.

The business model is wholesale agricultural commodity sales mediated through the VOG consortium, supplemented by a direct-to-consumer content layer on the Biosüdtirol website featuring farmer profiles, a 12-month orchard calendar, and 40+ farmer-contributed recipes. Marketing leverages Facebook, Instagram, and the website to tell farmer stories and reinforce the South Tyrol regional provenance narrative. There is no public pricing, no B2C e-commerce of significance, and no disclosed revenue. Revenue mechanics are one-time unit sales of fresh and processed organic apples, with pricing determined through VOG consortium channels rather than directly by Biosüdtirol.

Name

Biosüdtirol

Legal name

Consortium of South Tyrolean Fruit Growers Cooperatives coop. soc. agr.

Website

https://biosuedtirol.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Biosüdtirol is a cooperative brand of 300-350 organic apple farmers in South Tyrol, Italy, operating within the VOG Consortium to sell 12 certified-organic apple varieties plus apple juice to European retailers, food-service operators, and food processors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Organic Apples

NAICS

Apple Orchards (111331)

akta.pro primary industry

Organic Fruit & Tree Nut Farming (Orchards) (AFAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Organic & Natural Beverage Wholesale (AFAIAJAE), Organic Packaged Foods Manufacturing (Certified Organic, Clean-Label) (AFAKAJAA), Natural & Organic Foods Distribution (CRAOABAH)

Keywords

• Organic apple production
• Biodynamic fruit farming
• Fresh produce distribution
• Cooperative agriculture
• Organic certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Terlan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Organic Apple Sales: Revenue is generated through the sale of organic apples to retailers and food service companies. Individual farmers grow apples which are consolidated through the VOG cooperative, sorted, packaged and distributed. Different apple varieties command different prices. Imperfect or slightly damaged fruits are sold for processing into apple juice, puree, baby food, and other products.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Biosüdtirol markets and sells 100% organic apples grown by a cooperative of around 300–350 organic apple farmers in South Tyrol, Italy. The product line spans 12 apple varieties (Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Fuji, Topaz, Pinova, Red Delicious, GoldRush, Natyra, Story Inored, Bonita) certified under EU Organic, Bioland, Naturland, and Demeter standards, supplemented by a blended apple juice product made from Braeburn, Fuji, and Pinova.

Product overview

Biosüdtirol is an organic apple cooperative consisting of over 300 farmers in South Tyrol, Italy. The company offers a single unified product line centered on organic apples across 12 distinct varieties, complemented by apple juice made from selected varieties. All products are 100% organic, certified under multiple organic farming standards (EU Organic, Bioland, Naturland, and Demeter), and sold under the Biosüdtirol brand through the Consortium of South Tyrolean Fruit Growers Cooperatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Biosüdtirol Organic Apples (12 Varieties) 100% organic fresh apples grown by 300+ cooperative farmers in South Tyrol, Italy, across 12 varieties (Gala, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Fuji, Topaz, Pinova, Red Delicious, GoldRush, Natyra, Story Inored, Bonita). Certified under EU Organic, Bioland, Naturland, and Demeter standards and distributed to retailers and food service companies via the VOG consortium network.
• Biosüdtirol Apple Juice Apple juice produced from a blend of three organically grown South Tyrolean apple varieties (Braeburn, Fuji, Pinova), derived from apples grown within the Biosüdtirol cooperative.

Quantifiable outcome

• Organic yields are approximately 30% lower than conventional farming per hectare
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VOG - Consortium of South Tyrolean Fruit Growers CooperativescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiosüdtirol is a brand and organizational unit within the VOG consortium. The consortium manages sorting, packaging, storage and distribution of apples from member farmers. Founded as part of the cooperative structure serving South Tyrolean fruit growers.
• Tramin Winegrowers CooperativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhen the Tramin winegrowers cooperative started a group for organic farming in 2008, this initiative led to the formation of what became Biosüdtirol. Leo Vaja and other members transitioned their farms to organic production.
• BiolandcoreOthersGerman organic farming association certification. Biosüdtirol farmers comply with Bioland standards which exceed EU organic requirements.
• NaturlandcoreOthersInternational organic farming association certification. Provides additional third-party verification of organic farming practices.
• DemeterminorOthersBiodynamic farming certification body. Some Biosüdtirol farmers practice biodynamic agriculture following Demeter standards.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pink Lady Europe: Licensed branded apple marketing organization with a single club variety (Cripps Pink) sold across European retailers. Comparable on branded apple marketing, premium positioning and producer-network coordination.
• Kanzi Apples: Branded club apple variety (Nicoter) marketed across Europe with a focus on premium retail positioning. Comparable on branded apple marketing, European retail channel focus and variety-based differentiation.
• VIP - Verband der Südtiroler Obstgenossenschaften (Val Venosta): A neighboring South Tyrolean apple cooperative with comparable grower structure, multiple apple varieties, and distribution across European retailers. Directly comparable on cooperative model, region, product mix and channel.
• Melinda (Consorzio Melinda): Trentino-based apple cooperative selling branded apples (Mela di Val di Non) through Italian and European retailers. Comparable cooperative governance structure, premium regional positioning and apple-only product line.
• Marlene (VOG): Sister brand of Biosüdtirol within the same VOG consortium, selling conventional South Tyrolean apples across European retail. Comparable on region, distribution network (shared VOG logistics) and consumer brand marketing — though offering conventional rather than organic apples.
• Jazz Apples: Globally marketed branded club apple variety (Scifresh) sold through premium retail channels. Comparable on branded apple positioning, storability and orchard-to-shelf marketing model.

Regional players

• Rainier Fruit Company: U.S.-based organic and conventional apple grower-marketer supplying North American retailers. Comparable on organic apple portfolio, multi-variety branding and grower-led marketing — though primarily serving North America.
• Stemilt Growers: U.S. Pacific Northwest organic apple grower/packer with branded varieties (e.g., Piñata, Rave) and retail distribution. Comparable on organic apple production, multi-variety offering and branded grower marketing — though serving a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Sunkist Growers: Long-standing U.S. citrus cooperative with a strong consumer-facing brand and grower-controlled marketing model. Comparable on cooperative governance, branded fresh-produce marketing and farmer-aggregation structure.
• Zespri International: Large New Zealand-headquartered kiwifruit marketing cooperative with a global single-desk selling model and strong premium brand. Comparable on cooperative-based marketing, premium fruit branding and category leadership — though operating in a different fruit category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/biosuedtirol
• Instagraminstagram.com/biosuedtirol
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/biosuedtirol

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Biosüdtirol