

Italian historical trademarks: Conserve Italia, a guarantee for Made in Italy
- WTI Magazine #186 Apr 18, 2025
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Conserve Italia, a cooperative group founded in 1976, has been a leading figure in the Italian agri-food sector, representing a supply chain of 14,000 farming members. The company has always focused on tradition and quality as its core values. Its membership in the Associazione Marchi Storici d’Italia further acknowledges its commitment to promoting Made in Italy products worldwide.
This membership strengthens the bond between the agricultural base, the communities where the group operates, and its iconic brands, which are now fully represented in the Special Register established by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy as of January 2022.
Exports have been a key component of Conserve Italia's growth strategy for several years, with its historical brands—such as Cirio, Valfrutta, Yoga, Derby Blue, and Jolly Colombani—bringing the best of Italian products to millions of consumers around the globe.
Maurizio Gardini, President of Conserve Italia, emphasized the importance of brand companies in enhancing the value of Made in Italy: "Brand companies must not only focus on the short term but must safeguard an intergenerational heritage that is continuously renewed, without losing their roots. The historical brands in our cooperative group have written the history of Italian food: by joining the Special Register and the Associazione Marchi Storici d’Italia, we continue to defend and promote this heritage both nationally and internationally."
Conserve Italia has always worked to promote the value of Italian agri-food beyond national borders. An example is Cirio, a brand established in 1856, even before Italy existed as a unified state. Cirio is known as the ambassador of 100% Italian tomatoes and has strengthened its presence in international markets over the years. Its inclusion in the Special Register of Historical Brands of National Interest confirms its historical and cultural significance. Cirio has been a symbol of Italian excellence in the canned food industry since the late 1800s, a legacy recognized by the issuance of a commemorative stamp by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy in May 2023. Other historical brands of the cooperative group, like Yoga (a leader in fruit juices since 1946) and Derby Blue (known for innovative beverages), contribute to reinforcing the perception of high-quality Italian products globally. Jolly Colombani celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024 and remains a key reference for both tradition and innovation in the canned food sector. Valfrutta, which joined the Historical Brands Register recently, represents the best of Italian agriculture and has gained popularity among Italian families with premium products, including fruit juices, vegetables, tomato-based products, and fresh fruit, all embodying the concept of "first-hand nature."
Conserve Italia stands out for its 100% Italian supply chain, composed of 36 agricultural cooperatives with over 14,000 farmer-members who ensure high-quality raw materials from Italian farms. This cooperative model protects local producers by offering long-term contracts and guaranteed income, while also delivering safe and traceable products to consumers. The model is a major asset for the company, as emphasized by General Manager Pier Paolo Rosetti: "We are a three-time Italian supply chain: we work with Italian products supplied by our members, we have factories in Italy that employ thousands of people, and we pay taxes in Italy. This model protects us from foreign acquisitions that could relocate production. Made in Italy is a value to protect, and Conserve Italia will continue to be a bastion of this excellence."
The Cirio brand has a long history of over a century and a half in the evolution of Italy’s agri-food sector. Founded in 1856 by Francesco Cirio, it introduced the canning technique for preserving fruits and vegetables in Italy and received international recognition as early as 1867 at the Paris World Exposition. After various ownership changes, Conserve Italia acquired the brand in 2004, ensuring its revival and safeguarding it from relocation. This move not only preserved production in Italy but also boosted Cirio’s international presence, further promoting Made in Italy worldwide.
Despite its deep roots in tradition, Conserve Italia is focused on the future. In 2023, the company approved an €86.6 million investment plan aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability through digitalization and technological innovation. Additionally, in 2024, a project was launched to create Italy’s largest agronomic monitoring network, developed in collaboration with xFarm, to help farmers optimize cultivation using "smart" devices. This initiative has led to the digitalization of 700 hectares of fruit farms. Conserve Italia continues to be a symbol of Made in Italy, combining tradition with innovation to enhance Italian agriculture and its excellence. Through its cooperative model and fully Italian supply chain, the company is a leader in the protection and promotion of the national agri-food heritage.