The surge of table olives as a global culinary phenomenon, with production tripling in the last thirty years, places Italy among the top seven contenders in the sector. At the forefront of this narrative stands Ficacci, nestled in Castel Madama, just outside Rome. Renowned for its leadership in table olive production, the Italian stalwart marks its 60th anniversary with a resounding testament to its growth, with turnover in 2023 hitting €34 million—an impressive 50% surge from 2020 and 15% from 2022.
FICACCI, A GLOBAL ASCENT
Ficacci’s exports continue their upward trajectory, constituting nearly 20% of total sales and penetrating markets across over 30 countries. Notably, the United States commands a hefty 45% share of these exports, while Ficacci olives find an increasingly warm reception as appetizers for social gatherings in Japan, China, and the Middle East.
The company’s standing remains robust also in regions where olives form an intrinsic part of culinary tradition, including Spain, Greece, and Portugal, alongside a burgeoning presence in Northern Europe, South Africa, and South America—Colombia emerging as the latest conquest in early 2024.
“Through innovation, quality, and sustainability, we’ve redefined consumption norms within our niche,” asserts CEO and President Romeo Ficacci. “Our commitment to premium, additive-free products presented in FSC-certified paper trays, reducing plastic usage by 85%, resonates strongly in markets increasingly attuned to quality, sourcing integrity, and environmental responsibility.”
FROM LOCAL MARKETS TO INTERNATIONAL ARENAS
The seeds of Ficacci’s international journey were sown in 1964 when Romeo Ficacci, following in his father Umberto’s footsteps, expanded the olive trade within Roman markets. By the 1970s, the company had embarked on large-scale production, aiming for dominance in both local and global arenas. However, it was the third generation—represented by siblings Umberto, Giuseppe, and Lucia—that fully embraced the company’s export ambitions.
Presently, Ficacci boasts an extensive array of high-quality Italian, Greek, and Spanish table olives, earning acclaim across all distribution channels. The portfolio ranges from esteemed Italian cultivars like Nocellara del Belice and Etnea, to premium Greek selections such as Calcidica and Kalamata, comprising over 400 references tailored to evolving global tastes.
Among the overseas best-sellers are the Ficacci Deli Packs—a collection of 26 offerings including appetizers and bruschetta preparations—offered in convenient resealable packs, GMO-free, and devoid of preservatives, colorings, or artificial flavors.
INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY
Driving recent sales success is the “Un piattino di…” (A Little Dish of…) line, featuring eight premium offerings free from oil and liquid, fresh and devoid of additives and preservatives. The ingredient list is succinct: olives and salt. Moreover, the eco-friendly packaging, the first Aticelca (B) certification in the category, is entirely recyclable, reducing plastic consumption by a staggering 85%.
The latest addition, the “Gran Selezione di Olive Mediterranee” (Grand Selection of Mediterranean Olives), in a family pack format of 750 grams for gatherings, features a tray with three compartments, each housing pitted olives of different cultivars. This packaging, boasting 89% paper content, underscores Ficacci’s commitment to environmental stewardship, making it entirely recyclable.
