Italian cooperative extends reach across country with incorporation of Imola-based supplier
Imola-based fresh produce company Ortolani Cofri is to merge with Italian giant Agrintesa, in a deal that adds over a hundred producers and more than 300ha of orchards to the cooperative’s operation.
The deal, which takes effect from 1 June and has been fully approved by members of both groups, means Agrintesa will take care of marketing and distribution on behalf of the cooperative – which, like its new owner, is already a member of producer organisation Apo Conerpo and agri-cooperative Conserve Italia.
According to Aristide Castellari, president of Agrintesa, the seeds of a merger with Ortolani Cofri were sown last autumn, and will begin to bear fruit from the forthcoming autumn-winter campaign.
“The production base of Ortolani Cofri will be part of a structured system, able to offer guarantees of continuity, development opportunities and a wide range of production proposals,” he commented.
“For Agrintesa, this is an operation which fits with the virtuous aggregation that is part of our DNA, in line with what has been achieved in recent years. But it also means strengthening our presence in the Imola area, welcoming agricultural companies that share our vision and our values, with the aim of generating new synergies, and creating ever more value for the product of our members.”
For Ortolani Cofri president Gabriele Cristofori, the decision to merge with Agrintesa guaranteed a future for its members and employees at a time when the sector’s economic sustainability has been put to the test.
“The production trend in recent years, hit hard by extreme weather events and new pests, has required a strategic rethink,” he explained. “With Agrintesa, we find a shared history and sense of belonging within Apo Conerpo, as well as the solidity, vision and tools to face market challenges and extend the cooperative’s 130-year history.”
On an operational level, the integration is already underway, Agrintesa’s general manager Cristian Moretti revealed.
“All Ortolani Cofri employees and members have been welcomed into Agrintesa,” he confirmed. “Job retention has been guaranteed to those who have chosen to continue their journey in the cooperative. Our agronomist technicians are already working with the new members to accompany them in their varietal and production diversification projects, with the aim of supporting and encouraging the development of their companies.”
He added: “The Imola plant will be used for delivery and storage, while processing will take place in our specialised centers based on the different species delivered.
“For us, the entry of Ortolani Cofri represents an important sign of trust and sharing of our cooperative vision, focused on its core members, the creation of excellent product value, and an ability to respond to the market, in the present and in the future.”
