Italian Women in Berries: competence, vision and the future of the supply chain

On the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2026, Italian Berry brings together the voices of several women professionals in the sector to offer a concrete picture of the Italian berry world. What emerges is a story made up of different experiences, yet connected by a few very clear common threads: the value of competence, the cultural change now under way, and the contribution of women to innovation and business growth.

From commercial responsibilities to company leadership, from genetic research to international relations, what emerges is a female universe that does not ask for space as such, but builds it every day through results, preparation and vision.

Competence, training and professional credibility

One of the most recurring themes is that of competence as a decisive lever for establishing oneself in a sector that has historically been perceived as predominantly male. Preparation, consistency and quality of work emerge as elements capable of overcoming prejudice and resistance.

Giulia Rosa, sales manager at Bruno srl, clearly highlights the role of courage and continuous learning:

“I believe that in order to succeed it is essential to have the courage to put yourself on the line, to have the consistency (certainly fueled by passion) to study and train every day. You must not lose heart, but learn from mistakes as well; in the end, when you work seriously and master the subject, every prejudice falls away: competence has no gender, and being a woman stops being a topic of discussion and simply becomes a fact.”

Along the same lines is Catarina Gruber Genetti, CEO of Blueberry Europe, who links her path to an overall positive experience, based on quality of work and self-confidence:

“In my professional journey in a predominantly male sector, I have had, overall, very positive experiences. I am convinced that personal attitude, self-confidence and the quality of one’s work make the real difference: when you demonstrate competence and professionalism, gender naturally moves into the background. I have never perceived myself as being at a disadvantage; on the contrary, I consider this experience a great opportunity for growth, for which I am deeply grateful.”

Also in the words of Monia Dall’Ara, general manager of Molari Società Agricola, professional recognition remains a central issue, especially when outside the company cultural reflexes still associate women with lower technical or managerial authority:

“From my point of view, today the toughest challenges are being recognized as capable, trained and high-performing professionals on a par with male colleagues. People often take for granted that women have less knowledge or experience than their colleagues, and this can create ‘uphill’ paths in being heard by clients and colleagues, even though in fact they are at the same level. Fortunately, in my case I only experience this challenge outside the company, probably thanks to the fact that we are a very young team, and I am noticing that there is less gender gap among the new generations.”

A sector that is changing: from exception to normality

A second strong theme concerns the evolution of the fruit and vegetable sector and the berry business in recent years. If in the past women in positions of responsibility were few, today the picture is changing, with a broader and increasingly normalized presence.

Alessandra Sacchetto, sales manager at Asprofrut, brings the perspective of someone who has directly experienced this change over a thirty-year span:

“I have been working in the fruit and vegetable world at Asprofrut for thirty years, and for twenty of them I have held the role of purchasing/sales manager also for the berries sector.

You cannot imagine how happy I am to see so many women in fruit and vegetables with important and responsible roles, and I can assure you that when I started there were really very few of them.

It is true, it has always been a male-dominated sector, but the advice I give to all of us women, especially the younger ones, is ‘no advice, because none is needed’; I have always found it very positive to work with men, and at the beginning they actually helped and supported me with valuable advice.

Because we women must never forget that it is not men who make us feel ‘less’, but we ourselves who consider ourselves that way; instead, that is not the case, and modern times also show us that we can hold any role just like men; they themselves acknowledge this calmly.”

In Sacchetto’s words there is no opposition, but rather the picture of a cultural transition: from a sector in which female presence was rare to a scenario in which women increasingly hold key roles naturally.

Monia Dall’Ara also points to a generational change that already seems to be producing concrete effects, at least in younger and more dynamic company environments, where the gender gap appears less marked.

Women as a force for innovation and growth

Alongside the individual testimonies, a collective dimension also emerges: that of women as a structural component of business growth, innovation and the ability to interpret the future of the sector.

This is the case of the six women of Nova Siri Genetics (NSG), who offer a collective reflection through the account of the professionals engaged in different areas of the company:

“In the world of strawberries and berries, made up of research, innovation and passion for the agricultural sector, the contribution of women today represents one of the most dynamic and innovative forces in the sector. At NSG as well, a research and experimentation company based in Basilicata, this energy takes shape every day through professionalism, expertise and vision.

NSG is a company that speaks in the feminine. Not only because of the significant presence of women in the team, but because of the concrete value these professionals bring to the development of the company and its projects. In a constantly evolving sector such as strawberries and berries, where genetics, sustainability and the international market intertwine, the ability to look ahead, organize and innovate becomes fundamental.

There are six women who contribute decisively to the growth of the Italian breeding company: Carmela Suriano, EMEA director; Giovanna Lionetti, laboratory manager; Alida Stigliano, marketing and communication manager; Fabrizia Settembrino, international relations manager; Ilaria Sollazzo, administrative manager; Michela Arcuri, agronomist. Each of them brings a unique perspective to the company, building day after day a balance between scientific competence, strategic management and attention to the environment.

From genetic research to the management of international relations, from communication to field experimentation, their work tells a story made of dedication, precision and vision. A presence that is not only numerical, but substantial: the women of NSG are active protagonists of a path that looks to the future in this sector with ambition and responsibility.”

A story that speaks of the present

Overall, the voices collected convey a clear message. Women in berries do not ask to be described as exceptions, but as professionals. Their experience speaks of study, responsibility, growth, dialogue and vision. In some cases cultural obstacles and more difficult paths remain; in others, the overcoming of certain barriers already appears to be an established reality. In every case, however, one common fact emerges: the sector is also changing thanks to their work.

And this is precisely what seems today to be the most concrete meaning of a day such as March 8 within the berry supply chain: not only to celebrate the female presence, but to recognize the quality, weight and perspective that this presence brings with it every day.

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