A.O.A. Associazione Ortofrutticoltori Agro S.c.r.l. is a recognized agricultural producer organization (Organizzazione di Produttori – O.P.) based in Scafati, in the province of Salerno, Italy. Established to support and represent a network of agricultural cooperatives and fruit and vegetable producers in southern Italy, A.O.A. plays a pivotal role in the aggregation, processing, and commercial distribution of fresh and processed horticultural products across Italy and international markets.
Company Background
A.O.A. was founded with the objective of improving the competitiveness and sustainability of its member producers through centralized marketing, technical assistance, quality control, and logistics coordination. The organization brings together several cooperatives and hundreds of individual farms primarily located in the Campania, Puglia, and Basilicata regions.
Operating under the EU framework for recognized Producer Organizations (Reg. EU 1308/2013), A.O.A. receives funding for operational programs that support investments in environmental sustainability, innovation, and market development.
Core Business
A.O.A. functions as a unified supply chain hub for:
- Fresh fruit and vegetable collection and distribution
- Tomato production and processing coordination
- Logistics and post-harvest handling
- Quality assurance and certification management
- Technical support for agronomic improvement and compliance
Their model allows small and medium-sized farms to access larger markets while benefiting from collective processing infrastructure and brand visibility.
Product Offerings
The organization oversees the production and distribution of both fresh and industrial-use horticultural crops, including:
-
Industrial Tomatoes (primarily for processing)
- Long-type (San Marzano, Roma)
- Round-type (for purées and sauces)
-
Fresh Fruits
- Apples (Golden, Annurca)
- Cherries
- Strawberries
- Melons
-
Tree Nuts
- Hazelnuts (Tonda di Giffoni variety)
-
Vegetables
- Radishes
- Bell Peppers
- Tomatoes (table varieties)
- Lettuce
- Asparagus
- Fennel
These products are available through retail, wholesale, food service, and industrial processing channels.
Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
- Integrated Cooperative System: Enables shared access to infrastructure and collective bargaining power for growers.
- Geographical Identity: Products are cultivated in nutrient-rich volcanic soils of Southern Italy, known for superior taste and shelf-life.
- Sustainable Production: Implements crop rotation, integrated pest management (IPM), and water-saving irrigation systems.
- Quality Certifications: Products are certified under multiple food safety and origin certifications, ensuring traceability and compliance with EU standards.
- EU-Backed Operational Programs: Receives investment for technology, logistics, and sustainability under the EU Common Market Organisation (CMO) framework.
Production and Distribution Insights
While A.O.A. does not publish full financial records, performance indicators based on EU funding disclosures and cooperative data include:
- Over 600+ associated growers contributing to annual production volumes
- More than 50,000 tons of tomatoes managed annually for the processing industry
- Fresh produce volumes exceeding 25,000 tons/year
- Export operations primarily targeting Germany, France, Belgium, and Eastern Europe
- Expansion into organics: 15% of total cultivation area certified for organic production
The organization provides centralized logistics from its hubs in Scafati (Salerno), Andria (Puglia), and Rionero in Vulture (Basilicata).
Target Market
A.O.A. serves:
- Food processors and sauce manufacturers (for industrial tomatoes)
- Large-scale retailers and supermarket chains
- Wholesale fruit and vegetable distributors
- Organic and health-conscious retailers (via certified organic produce)
- Export partners and EU procurement programs
Their multi-channel approach allows for both bulk and specialty distribution formats, customized to client needs.
Capabilities
- Cold chain infrastructure with pre-cooling and cold storage
- Optical sorting and grading systems for post-harvest quality control
- Integrated logistics with direct delivery to European platforms
- In-house agronomy and compliance teams
- Marketing and promotional support for EU-funded campaigns
These capabilities enable A.O.A. to ensure consistency, freshness, and traceability for all product lines.
Certifications and Compliance
A.O.A. manages and audits its producer base for compliance with:
- GlobalG.A.P.
- Grasp
- Organic Certification (EU & National standards)
- Integrated Production (Produzione Integrata)
- ISO 22005 (Traceability systems)
- DOP/IGP designations (for products like Pomodoro San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP)
These certifications make the organization a qualified supplier for both domestic and international buyers with stringent sourcing requirements.
Customer Testimonials
“We’ve worked with A.O.A. for over six years. Their tomatoes are always top-grade, and their logistics reliability is critical for our processing operations.”
— Director of Purchasing, Tomato Processing Plant, Emilia-Romagna
“Their fresh produce has helped us expand our Italian specialty line. Quality and traceability are exactly what our clients expect.”
— Procurement Head, Wholesale Fruit Importer, Belgium
Major Achievements
- Recognized as a Leader Producer Organization in Southern Italy for tomato aggregation
- Instrumental in the export promotion of Pomodoro San Marzano DOP
- Facilitated transition to organic production for over 90 farms
- Implemented EU co-funded sustainability programs under CMO worth over €2.5 million between 2020–2023
- Partnered with research institutions on climate-adaptive crop trials
With a robust grower network, modern infrastructure, and an emphasis on quality and compliance, A.O.A. Associazione Ortofrutticoltori Agro serves as a vital link between Italian agricultural excellence and global food markets.