Orsero, the Italy-based fruit and vegetable supplier, has expanded into the US with an investment in import business Trucco.
In a stock exchange filing, the Milan-listed group said it acquired a 45% stake in Trucco Holdings, which owns New Jersey-based Trucco Inc. and TruFresh Logistics.
Orsero retains an option to acquire another 15% in Trucco Holdings from 2029 onwards.
Additionally, it has struck a deal to purchase 46% of the affiliated business AJ Trucco Inc, pending regulatory approvals. This transaction is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
The total consideration is $46m, with the investment to be made on a “debt-free / cash-free basis”, the filing added.
The Trucco Group includes three operating companies: AJ Trucco Inc., Trucco Inc. and TruFresh Logistics LLC, the latter two controlled by Trucco Holdings Inc..
AJ Trucco Inc. markets fresh produce to retailers through a sales stand located within the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx.
Trucco Inc. is headquartered in Vineland in New Jersey, operating out of
an 18,000-square-metre warehouse.
TruFresh provides processing, packaging and logistics to Trucco and third-party customers and is also located within the Vineland facility.
Orsero vice-chair and CEO Raffaella Orsero and co-CEO Matteo Colombini have joined the Trucco board with immediate effect.
In a joint statement, Raffaella Orsero and Colombini called the move a “transformative milestone”, saying it will “play a fundamental role in our future growth path”.
They added: “This strategic step will allow the group to achieve a new scale, giving us a global perspective and exposure to a unique market in terms of purchasing power and consumer trends.”
Orsero is present in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia, both as a producer and distributor. It distributes a range of fruit and vegetables including bananas, pineapples, apples, melons, and pears.
Trucco Holdings owner and CEO Nick Pacia will retain his majority ownership and continue as chairman and chief executive for a minimum of six years.
“Together, Trucco and Orsero can further our shared commitment to delivering top-quality produce through seamless procurement and distribution networks,” Pacia said.
The business specialises in importing and marketing fresh commodities such as kiwifruit, blueberries, citrus, garlic, and dried fruits.
It owns three brands – KiwiStar, TruStar, and Fresco – and generated around $250m in revenue last year.
In 2025, Orsero reported net sales of €1.7bn ($1.9bn), an 8.2% increase on a year earlier. The group's adjusted EBITDA rose 3.8% year-over-year to €86.9bn, while adjusted net profit grew 4.7% to €33m.
