(May 30, 2017) The consumption of the authentically Italian tomato grows in France. According to the latest figures on purchases in French distribution, the Cirio tomato brand owned by the Conserve Italia and marketed in France through the subsidiary Conserves France, has grown in one year its market share of 35% Value and 40% in volume. "France for Conserve Italia represents the third market in terms of turnover after Italy and Spain," says Pier Paolo Rosetti, General Manager of Conserve Italia and President of Conserves France, its 95% owned company based in San Lazzaro di Savena, in Bolognese. Overall, the Group's revenues in France and Belgium amounted to approximately 74 million euros, an increase of about 13% over last year. "Our exponential growth in France in just 12 months makes us very happy - continues Pier Paolo Rosetti. The authentic Italian tomato certainly has a added value and this explains the success of our products, which underpin a cooperative supply chain of farmers who work with Italian raw material, strictly controlled and traced, respecting environmental sustainability and work rules for their employees. In France, we will continue to focus on continuous product innovations like ready-made sauces La Bellissima or the new line of peeled, past and Biò pulp, which we intend to accompany with future investment in communication. We are convinced that Cirio has all the potential to further increase its penetration into French families. " (Red)

ABOUT / A FRENCH SOUL

But the brilliant growth of the Cirio brand should not forget the company's "french" soul, which produces corn, peas, green beans and tomato at the Saint Sylvestre sur Lot plant for the main French distribution chains thanks to the raw materials made by the French growers associated with Uniproledi. In addition, Tarascon's plant produces a wide range of mélanges de légumes including local raw materials, which can boast of being manufactured in Provence and marketed under the brand Barbier Dauphin (one of the oldest French brands in the category of ready-made dishes ) And to the distributor brand. Altogether, Conserves France employs 150 fixed workers, which become 330 with seasonal workers.