Merger of Italian cooperatives creates one of Europe’s largest fresh produce suppliers with 10,500ha of production area
The recently confirmed merger of Italian cooperatives Agrintesa and Fruit Modena Group (FMG), which will be made official at the start of 2026, is set to create one of Europe’s largest fresh produce suppliers and open new opportunities for Agrintesa in pears.
At a specially convened meeting in Faenza in late October, FMG’s incorporation into its larger neighbour was confirmed in the presence of regional agriculture minister Alessio Mammi, whose local government has given the deal the green light.
The merger is one of the most significant in Italy in the past decade, and brings Agrintesa’s fruit and vegetable production area to 10,500ha.
Agrintesa brings together around 4,000 member farms across much of Italy, and sells around a broad range of products – mainly fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as wine worth about €450mn per year.
FMG, meanwhile, specialises mainly in pears. It was formed in 2007 after two smaller cooperatives, Campofrigo and Eurofrutta, came together, and now looks after more than 1,100ha of orchards as well as dedicated packing facilities.
For Italy’s pear suppliers in general, business has been difficult in recent years as a result of production challenges including pests and disease, as well as a lack of real growth in terms of market demand.
“Faced with the difficult agronomic challenges of recent years and the need to maximise the value of our members’ production, the board of directors and the shareholders’ meeting believed that the merger into Agrintesa represented the best way to ensure continuity in our history and, at the same time, expand opportunities for our producers,” explained Adriano Aldrovandi, president of Fruit Modena Group.
“The transaction will allow for a diversification of our product portfolio, a rationalisation of our activities, and an improvement in overall results. The cooperation will continue to support the historic and primary fruit-growing region of Modena.”
Pear partners
The two organisations already know each other well. Both are part of the same producer organisation, Apo Conerpo, and are among the founding members of the pear consortium Opera.
And since May, management teams from both organisations have worked together to oversee their integration.
“In just eighteen months, Agrintesa has completed three mergers,” pointed out Aristide Castellari, president of Agrintesa. “First Osas in Calabria and Ortolani Cofri in Romagna, and now Fruit Modena Group. These are steps in a journey that reflects our unifying DNA: we believe that concentration of production and diversification of territories are the pillars for ensuring continuity and solidity in the fruit and vegetable sector.
The merger certainly boosts Agrintesa’s standing in the pear business. “We are aware of the climatic and phytosanitary challenges facing pear growing, Castellari added. “We want to contribute to the protection and revitalisation of what for our members is a strategic product.”
General manager Cristian Moretti also expressed his satisfaction with the merger, saying it represents “confirmation of Agrintesa’s ability to provide effective, high-quality solutions to its member producers, consolidating our role as a key player in the sector”.
