Oleificio Zucchi: growth, exports and innovation at the heart of the strategy

The 2025 ended with positive results for Oleificio Zucchi, which achieved a turnover of 338 million euros, confirming the strength of its growth trajectory. This performance was also supported by increased volumes compared with 2024.

In a still complex context for the edible oils supply chain, the company continues to focus on innovation, internationalisation, private labels and enhancing the category, without overlooking sustainability and oil culture. Alessia Zucchi, chair and chief executive officer of Oleificio Zucchi Società Benefit, discusses these issues, market prospects and future strategies. Alessia Zucchi, chair and chief executive officer of Oleificio Zucchi Società Benefit.

How did 2026 begin for Oleificio Zucchi?

The first few months of 2026 saw Oleificio Zucchi play a leading role in enhancing the seed oil category by consolidating its traditional products, particularly Zucchi Fritto Libero!. Despite a continued contraction in sales volumes of seed oils (-6,9%, YTD June 2026), which has continued for more than a year and a half, Oleificio Zucchi is increasing sales both in value and volume, bucking the market trend and continuing to play a leading role in enhancing the seed oil category (source: NielsenIQ, total Italy, modern distribution, June 2026).

What role do exports play for Oleificio Zucchi?

International expansion is one of the main drivers of growth and is based on three lines of action: strengthening the Zucchi brand by expanding distribution in foreign markets; developing new products designed to meet the needs and preferences of international consumers; and consolidating partnerships with strategic customers, including through joint projects. Confirming the effectiveness of this strategy, in 2025 within Oleificio Zucchi’s consumer division, 36% of total turnover was generated by foreign markets. In the same year, we were present in 45 countries across five continents, with the aim of further strengthening our international presence, particularly in areas with the greatest development potential and an increasing interest in Italian cuisine, such as the Middle East. The recent appointment of Michel Pistorio as export director, is part of this process and confirms our intention to accelerate growth beyond Italy.

What does the out-of-home strategy involve?

Out-of-home is an important channel, which we serve with seed oils and olive oils designed to ensure consistent performance, practicality and efficiency in the kitchen, with professional formats and technical solutions to meet the needs of restaurants, bakeries and the hospitality sector. We want to continue serving the channel with products that meet the needs of professionals, with particular attention to managing operating costs and ensuring continuity of processes.

And what about private labels?

Oleificio Zucchi is a solid and reliable game changer in the world of private labels, an area in which it has operated for over 70 years and which represents a historic and strategic pillar of the company. Its experience, combined with the expertise gained in edible oils, has made Oleificio Zucchi a trusted partner for large-scale retail, in Italy and abroad. The private labels remain a structural and constantly evolving segment. In this context, Oleificio Zucchi stands out with an offering based on consistent product quality, certified and reliable processes, operational flexibility and a strong service orientation—elements that enable the company to support retailers during the most complex phases of the market. Our strategy prioritises continuity and exclusivity of supply, consistent excellence and stable consultancy support for customers, an approach that has enabled us to consolidate a leading role in the sector over time.

A year ago, you announced a rebranding operation, adding the word “historic” to highlight the reference to the year of foundation (1810), thereby enhancing Zucchi’s long tradition and expertise as an 100% Italian brand. One year on, what results has this rebranding produced?

The introduction of the word “historic” was not simply a rebranding exercise, but a decision to make Oleificio Zucchi’s identity even more explicit on its products: an Italian company that for over 215 years has combined tradition, expertise and the ability to innovate. One year on, we can say that this evolution has strengthened brand recognition and consolidated its positioning, also receiving a positive response from consumers. Today, people increasingly value authentic, transparent brands capable of telling a credible story, built on experience but also on continuous evolution. Concrete confirmation comes from the recognition of “Elected Product of the Year 2026” awarded to Zucchi Fritto Libero!, a prize awarded directly by consumers.

How important is it today to invest in consumer education to explain the differences between the various types of oil, their correct uses in cooking and the meaning of the “right price”?

Investing in consumer education is a priority. There is still a long way to go to raise awareness of the differences between the various types of oil, their correct uses in cooking and the value behind a quality product, including in relation to the issue of the right price. Talking about oil means going beyond the product: it means telling the story of identity, territory, food culture and tradition, while also highlighting the work of the supply chain, the quality of the raw materials and the expertise that goes into producing each bottle. Today, it is no longer enough to tell people where an oil comes from: it is necessary to build its value and make it recognisable to consumers. This is the vision guiding our commitment to promoting a greater culture of oil and broader awareness of the role extra virgin olive oil plays in the Mediterranean diet. This is where Evo Masterclass.

What is Evo Masterclass?

It is one of the most representative projects of Oleificio Zucchi, now in its third edition. The initiative involves students from Italian hotel management schools in a training programme dedicated to understanding extra virgin olive oil: from its distinctive characteristics and quality to its informed use in the kitchen. The aim is to train the hospitality professionals of tomorrow so that they become ambassadors of a genuine culture of oil, helping to enhance one of the most representative assets of Italy’s agri-food sector.

How is the promotional management of the category changing? Is there scope to develop new enhancement strategies together with retailers?

Promotional activities based solely on price are gradually losing their effectiveness. In the context of promotions, the choice is increasingly moving towards products that offer quality, reliability and transparent, traceable production processes. In this scenario, industry operators face challenges and opportunities that go beyond simple price competition: promotional activities must in fact be supported by a distinctive assortment, capable of differentiating retailers and making not only economic convenience attractive, but also the value of the product on offer. It will therefore be important to continue working on enhancing the category, through initiatives capable of clearly communicating the value of the product and its distinctive characteristics.

In 2025 you became a benefit corporation. What does this milestone mean?

Becoming a benefit corporation in 2025 represented the natural evolution of a journey that Oleificio Zucchi has been pursuing for many years. It was not a destination, but the formalisation of a business model that combines economic growth, social responsibility and environmental protection. It means integrating common-benefit objectives into the way we do business, creating value not only for the company but also for people, the local area and the entire supply chain. In the future, we want to continue with the same vision, turning these principles into concrete and measurable results. We will continue to invest in innovation, sustainability and enhancing the supply chain, with the aim of combining competitiveness and positive impact, because we are convinced that a company’s success today is also measured by the value it can create for all its stakeholders.

Was 2025 a difficult year for the oil supply chain?

The 2025 was confirmed as a complex year for the sector, characterised by markedly differing dynamics across the various segments and strong price volatility. In this context, one of the main challenges is to continue guaranteeing quality, continuity of supply and transparency throughout the supply chain, while maintaining an offering capable of meeting consumers’ different needs. Today we are seeing consumers who are increasingly aware and attentive to quality, origin and traceability, especially in theextra virgin olive oilsegment. At the same time, the price factor continues to influence purchasing choices and leads many consumers to vary their purchases according to consumption occasions, also turning to seed oils, which are increasingly appreciated for their versatility and for the evolution of the offering towards products with functional characteristics. To respond to this situation, Oleificio Zucchi continues to invest in structured and integrated supply chain management.

How?

Traceability is one of the distinctive elements of our model, supported by digital tools such as Supply Chain 4.0 and Portal 4.0, which make it possible to monitor the product’s entire journey, from the origin of the raw materials through to the finished product. This is complemented by an intensive inspection plan, with more than 42.000 analyses carried out in 2025, certified management systems and a structured process for selecting and monitoring suppliers, with the aim of guaranteeing high standards of quality, safety and reliability throughout the value chain.

What are your objectives for the near future?

For 2026 and the years ahead, our objective is to consolidate Oleificio Zucchi’s growth trajectory, strengthening the company’s competitiveness in Italy and international markets. We will continue to invest in the elements that have always represented our strengths: quality, innovation, sustainability and enhancing the supply chain. Innovation will remain a strategic driver, both in the development of new products and in the evolution of production processes, in order to respond to market changes and the needs of increasingly attentive and aware consumers. At the same time, we will continue our commitment to promoting a culture of extra virgin olive oil, because we believe that creating value means not only offering quality products, but also helping to spread knowledge and awareness. Our ambition is to grow in a solid and sustainable way, continuing to combine a long-term vision with the ability to innovate, without ever losing the values that have guided Oleificio Zucchi for over two centuries.

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.