Italy: Cavicchi Group assets sold to Conserve Italia

The former OPOE production site in Dodici Morelli di Cento (Ferrara) was sold in early February to the Conserve Italia cooperative group, which has been running it for two years.

 On February 2, 2023, Conserve Italia expressed its satisfaction after the announcement that it had been granted the three entities of the former business complex of the OPOE (Organization of Fruit and Vegetable Producers Europe), Italia Food Factory and Cento Food located in Dodici Morelli di Cento (province of Ferrara), according to a decision taken by the Court of Ferrara.

This production site, specializing in tomato processing, had already been temporarily entrusted to the agri-food cooperative group in May 2021 with a two-year lease. This approach ensured business continuity during the 2021 and 2022 processing seasons for both the company's employees and the growers who supply the plant.
 
"With the positive conclusion of this procedure, the Dodici Morelli plant can be fully integrated into the company's development and growth policies," said Maurizio Gardini, President of Conserve Italia. "Two years ago, at the request of a number of stakeholders, we intervened very quickly in an emergency situation to save jobs and offer prospects to the local agricultural sector." 
After the failure of a first auction of the Cavicchi Group's assets, with a minimum bid of EUR 8.2 million, a second round of bids was solicited, with the minimum bid lowered to EUR 7.5 million.
"As we have already been doing over the past two years, we are putting all our production, commercial and marketing structure at the disposal of local growers in order to make the most of the crops delivered. And we will continue to do so with our 100% Italian tomato brands, such as Cirio, Valfrutta and Jolly Colombani," added the Managing Director of Conserve Italia, Pier Paolo Rosetti. 

Sources: freshplaza.it, horecanews.it, alimentando.info, estense.com