Conserve Italia: record payments to producer members in the year of its 50th anniversary

In the year of its 50th anniversary, Conserve Italia achieves the historic record for payments to producer members: 122 million euros, 14,8% more than in the previous financial year.

A result that confirms the cooperative Group's ability to create value for its agricultural base, despite a more modest increase in processed volumes, amounting to 4,1%. In financial year 2025-26, closed on 30 June 2026, a total of 571.888 tonnes of raw materials—tomatoes, fruit, pulses and cereals—were processed, 94% of which came from the membership base represented by 32 agricultural cooperatives.

The commentary

The result was presented by president Maurizio Gardini during the Members' Meeting, held in the company's auditorium in San Lazzaro di Savena, in the presence of delegates from the member cooperatives and representatives of the cooperative movement.

“Conserve Italia was founded fifty years ago on the basis of an insight that changed the relationship between farmers and the food industry: giving agricultural producers the opportunity to play a leading role in the supply chain, through cooperative aggregation and the enhancement of the products supplied. Half a century later, this mission remains fully relevant and finds concrete confirmation in the extraordinary result achieved in terms of payments to members,” declares president Maurizio Gardini. “Our objective is to create value to be distributed to the farms that make up our membership base, ensuring them prospects for development without seeking easy corporate shortcuts that would ultimately betray our mission to the benefit of speculative finance. This is the strength of the cooperative model, which has enabled us to grow, responding to market transformations and building a major agri-food Group that keeps our roots firmly grounded. Celebrating Conserve Italia's fiftieth anniversary means renewing our commitment to the future of Italian agriculture, continuing to invest in innovation, competitiveness and the ability to respond to our members' needs.”

The financial statements for financial year 2025-2026

During the Members' Meeting, the financial statements for financial year 2025-2026 were unanimously approved. At Group level, comprising the parent company Conserve Italia Soc. Coop. Agricola and its seven subsidiaries, turnover remained at 1,15 billion euros, holding steady compared with the previous financial year, with a profit of 4,1 million euros and EBITDA of 68 million euros (7,5%). Consolidated net financial debt stood at 128 million euros, while the parent company's equity reached 311 million euros.

“In a market context characterised by strong competition and declining consumption in the markets where we operate, Conserve Italia has consolidated its position by focusing on the strength of its brands, product innovation and commercial development,” explains general manager Pier Paolo Rosetti. “The results achieved in retail, out-of-home consumption and international markets confirm the validity of a strategy that enhances the products of our agricultural supply chain through established brands such as Valfrutta, Cirio, Yoga, Derby Blue and Jolly Colombani, alongside established product lines with new offerings capable of meeting consumer needs. In support of this process, we completed the 2023-2026 investment plan worth 86,9 million euros, leaving us with a more efficient, digitalised and sustainable industrial system. A fundamental step in strengthening our competitiveness and confidently addressing the challenges of the coming years, also in light of the Company's financial and capital strength, which has demonstrated its ability to absorb these investments effectively.”

Market segments

In the Italian market, Conserve Italia is strengthening its leadership in the fruit juice sector, with a share increase of 1,3% in the retail channel. Yoga, the sector's leading brand, which celebrates 80 years of history in 2026, is recording growth rates that run counter to the overall market trend. In the Horeca channel, thanks to Yoga, Derby Blue and Valfrutta juices, Conserve Italia is close to 60% of the market.

Positive results were also recorded in the processed tomato sector, where Cirio, which celebrates its 170th anniversary this year, is growing by 4,6% in volume, driven by the performance of passata, peeled tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. In foodservice, Cirio Alta Cucina recorded an increase of 7,2%, consolidating its presence among professional chefs and pizza makers.

Conserve Italia is also strengthening its leadership in the preserved vegetable market, increasing Valfrutta's share by 0,6%, confirming it as the category's leading brand.

Product innovation policies continue to support development in more recently established categories, such as functional and organic fruit juices, ready-made sauces with datterino tomatoes and vegetable ready meals.

The international market

On the international front, Conserve Italia is recording positive export performance, supported by a strategy that combines products under private labels with the development of the company's brands, as part of a commercial policy aimed at prioritising partnerships with major international retailers. In particular, Cirio is strengthening its presence in foreign markets, with export growth of 5% across processed tomato products, pulses and cereals, and distribution reaching more than 80 countries worldwide.

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.