
Agriform and Parmareggio have merged to form the “largest Italian company in the world” of protected designation of origin (PDO) cheeses.
Based in Sommacampagna in Verona province, Agriform is known for its Grana Padano PDO cheese. Parmareggio, located in Modena and part of the Bonterre Group, is better known for its Parmigiano Reggiano PDO hard cheese.
Under a three-year plan, the combined entity plans to increase turnover from the 2019 starting base of EUR600m (US$729.1m) and also to boost profit margins, according to joint statement, which provided no further details for the terms, financing or holdings.
just-food has approached the two companies for clarification but had not received a response at the time of writing.
“The combination of our production chains – made up of over two thousand breeders and about twenty dairies – and our commercial networks, as well as our common, strong, cooperative roots, will allow us to build an even more solid company and to add value to the products of our members,” the statement read.
Agriform is a EUR177m turnover company founded in 1980, with exports accounting for around half of its annual sales. It ships to countries such as the US and Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Spain in Europe, and Australia.
In 2019, Parmareggio and Grandi Salumifici Italiani were merged to create Bonterre, an agri-food group present in aged cheeses and cured meats.