ANICAV: full support for a PGI for Naples peeled tomatoes

 The ANICAV has given its full and determined support to the recognition of a Protected Geographical Indication for the "Neapolitan Peeled Tomato", whose approval process, after its publication in the Official Journal, awaits the final step: European Community registration. 
Once completed, the process would guarantee the protection and value enhancement of one of the most representative products of Italian gastronomic culture, especially abroad, as well as a significant increase in the economic value of the entire sector. These different considerations were discussed in the course of a debate organized during the major exhibition dedicated to the world of food, the "Cibus Connecting Italy" in Parma, in which the ANICAV, Coldiretti Campania and Italia Ortofrutta participated.
Available figures show that approximately 950,000 tonnes of fresh tomatoes are grown for the production of canned peeled tomatoes in the five PGI regions (Abruzzo, Basilicata, Campania, Molise and Puglia) with a turnover of almost EUR 1.5 billion, of which more than 1 billion comes from foreign trade. The new geographical indication label would undoubtedly place Neapolitan peeled tomatoes among the best known and most sold PDO/PGI products, along with Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano cheeses, Parma ham, buffalo mozzarella and balsamic vinegar.

"We welcome the enthusiasm and full support expressed today by the agricultural world," said Giovanni De Angelis, the ANICAV's General Director. “The synergy of the entire sector is essential to achieve this important goal and overcome unnecessary parochialism. We reiterate our full support to the Promotion Committee led by President Lino Cutolo and we look forward with great confidence to the completion of a process that can give a new impetus to the consumption of this true product of excellence from the Italian agri-food sector, a consumption which is unfortunately declining compared to other types of canned tomatoes."
De Angelis concluded: "We are certain that the PGI will bring great benefits not only to the industrial sector, but also to all agricultural producers in areas that are suitable for growing oblong tomatoes. Today we have all reaffirmed the importance of moving forward together in the same direction, in the interest of the entire industry, in favor of a product that is emblematic of ‘Made in Italy’ around the world."

Some complementary data
The ANICAV (Associazione Nazionale Industriali Conserve Alimentari Vegetali) was founded in Naples on February 5, 1945, and is the largest association representing tomato processing companies in the world in terms of number of member companies and quantities of processed products. It brings together three quarters of the processing industry operators working within the country's borders, who as a whole account for about 70% of all processed tomatoes in Italy and almost all the whole-peeled tomatoes produced worldwide, with a turnover, in 2022, of EUR 3 billion (equal to 75% of the total turnover of the Italian tomato processing sector). About 60% of this production is destined for export, both to Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom) and to other countries (USA, Japan, Australia), making the tomato an ambassador of ‘Made in Italy’ excellence around the world.

Italy is the leading processor and exporter of canned tomatoes, ahead of Spain, the United States and Portugal. The products covered by the PGI for Neapolitan Peeled Tomatoes are only part of the Italian activity in this sector.