Conserve Italia, record dividends paid to producer members: €122 million (+14.8 per cent)

In the year of its 50th anniversary, Conserve Italia has achieved a record high in payments to its producer members: 122 million euros, 14.8 per cent more than in the previous financial year. The co-operative group announced this in a statement, emphasising ‘its ability to create value for its farming members, despite a more modest increase in processed volumes, amounting to 4.1%’.

In the 2025–26 financial year, ending on 30 June 2026 and unanimously approved by the general meeting, a total of 571,888 tonnes of raw materials were processed, comprising tomatoes, fruit, pulses and cereals, 94 per cent of which came from the cooperative’s member base, comprising 32 agricultural cooperatives. Turnover stood at 1.15 billion euros, remaining stable compared with the previous financial year, with a profit of 4.1 million euros and an EBITDA of 68 million euros (7.5%). The consolidated net financial position stood at 128 million euros, whilst the parent company’s equity reached 311 million euros.

“Conserve Italia was founded fifty years ago on the basis of an insight that transformed the relationship between farmers and the food industry: to give agricultural producers the opportunity to play a leading role in the supply chain, through cooperative organisation and the promotion of the produce they supply. Half a century on, this mission remains as relevant as ever and is tangibly confirmed by the extraordinary results achieved in terms of payments to members – stated Chairman Maurizio Gardini during the members’ meeting held at the headquarters in San Lazzaro di Savena –. ‘Our aim is to create value to be distributed to the farms that form our membership base, ensuring they have prospects for development without seeking easy corporate shortcuts that would ultimately betray our mission in favour of speculative finance.’

“In a market environment characterised by fierce competition and declining consumption in the markets where we operate, Conserve Italia has managed to consolidate its position by focusing on brand strength, product innovation and commercial development – explained the managing director Pier Paolo Rosetti –. The results achieved in the retail, out-of-home and international markets confirm the validity of a strategy that promotes the produce of our agricultural supply chain through long-established brands such as Valfrutta, Cirio, Yoga, Derby Blue and Jolly Colombani, whilst complementing our established products with new offerings designed to meet consumer needs. To support this approach, we have completed the 2023–26 Investment Plan worth €86.9 million, which will provide us with a more efficient, digitalised and sustainable industrial system. This is a crucial step towards strengthening our competitiveness and facing the challenges of the coming years with confidence, not least in light of the Company’s strong capital and financial position, which has demonstrated its ability to absorb these investments effectively.”

“On the Italian market,” explains a press release, “Conserve Italia is strengthening its leadership in the fruit juice sector with a +1.3 per cent increase in market share in the retail channel. Yoga, the sector’s leading brand, which will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2026, is recording growth rates that buck the general market trend. In the Horeca sector, thanks to Yoga, Derby Blue and Valfrutta juices, Conserve Italia accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the market.”