New loans to be disbursed to six businesses connected to the production chain of Conserve Italia, one of Europe’s largest agricultural industrial groups.
The loans, to encourage the expansion of production facilities and investments in Research & Development, come under the Call for Proposals no. 5 for Production Chain and District Contracts, overseen by the Italian Ministry for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF).
Promoting the growth of businesses in the agri-food sector is the main purpose of the new production contract backed by Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and the BCC Iccrea group for Conserve Italia, one of Europe’s largest agricultural industrial groups. The loans come under the Call for Proposals no. 5 for Production Chain Contracts, overseen by the Italian Ministry for Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF).
The project, called “Conserve Italia una filiera cooperativa tutta italiana: interventi di sostenibilità ambientale, valore ai produttori, garanzia ai consumatori e qualità alimentare delle produzioni ortofrutticole” [Conserve Italia, an all-round Italian cooperative: acting for environmental sustainability, value for producers, a guarantee for consumers, and quality fruit and vegetable produce] has a total value of 31.2 million euro and will involve, among other things, a further six businesses in the agricultural product processing sector/agricultural producers forming the base of Conserve Italia’s members.
The Production Contract will receive a contribution from PNC (National Complementary Plan) funds of 10.5 million euro. The remaining amount, of 20.7 million euro, to be managed entirely by Conserve Italia and Investee companies, will consist of a loan from the BCC Iccrea Group for 8.7 million euro and a loan for the same amount from Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, granted under special terms. The other 3.2 million euro will be financed by connected Companies with their own funds.
The purpose of the entire operation is to promote expansion at Conserve Italia’s production facilities, and also boost investments in Research & Development. The project aims - among other things - to increase the production capacity of Conserve Italia, reduce natural gas consumption, introduce energy efficiency and develop renewable energy production in general, with a consequent reduction in CO2 emissions.
Conserve Italia is one of Europe’s largest agricultural industrial group and owns well-established brands in Italy such as Valfrutta, Cirio, Yoga, Derby Blue and Jolly Colombani.
The Group has 12 production sites, 9 in Italy and 3 abroad (1 in Spain and 2 in France) besides 4 sales agencies (in the USA, Australia, UK and Germany) and mainly operates in three major production sectors: fruit, tomatoes and vegetables, employing over 2,100 people.
Its operations cover approximately 35% of the domestic fruit juice market, while tomato processing covers 25% of the domestic market. Conserve Italia is also a leader in preserved vegetables, with a 16.4% market share.