A high-profile institutional visit marked a significant milestone for Conserve Italia, as the cooperative group celebrated its 50th anniversary. This afternoon, the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni (pictured, together with Conserve Italia’s President, Maurizio Gardini), visited the company’s headquarters in San Lazzaro di Savena, near Bologna, meeting with a delegation of over 250 representatives, including board members, producers, and employees.
A commitment to Italian excellence
The event served as a prestigious occasion to toast five decades of one of the leading figures in the Italian and European agri-food landscape. Since 1976, the group has been dedicated to enhancing its farmers’ produce, transforming raw materials into high-quality goods marketed worldwide under iconic made in Italy brands such as Valfrutta, Cirio, Yoga, Derby Blue, and Jolly Colombani.
The power of the cooperative model
Maurizio Gardini, President of Conserve Italia, expressed the company’s pride: “We are deeply honored by the Prime Minister’s visit, which acknowledges the value of a cooperative project born fifty years ago from the farmers’ desire to unite their efforts. Today, our group unites 32 agricultural cooperatives and over 14,000 producers, supported by the daily commitment of 3,000 employees. Our model integrates agriculture, industry, and market dynamics to create shared value while bringing the excellence of Italian agricultural products to global consumers.”
Looking toward the future
With an annual group turnover of 1.15 billion euros in the 2025-26 fiscal year and a robust footprint with 12 production plants, Conserve Italia remains a pillar of the Italian economy. The meeting with Prime Minister Meloni was not only a look back at a rich history but also a strong signal of the group’s determination to face the challenges of the next fifty years with confidence, maintaining its firm roots in the territory while expanding its international presence.