Product Offerings
Product Categories:
Tomatoes and Tomato Products
Products:
Pomodoro da industria: whole peeled tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato puree
Promotional programs: Meu Tomatì, Etomato A Red Passion
OI Pomodoro da Industria Bacino Centro Sud Italia is an interprofessional organization established to support, regulate, and promote the industrial tomato supply chain across Central and Southern Italy. Based primarily in Foggia and Naples, the organization acts as a collaborative platform between producers and processors to ensure quality, transparency, and competitiveness in the agri-food sector, especially in processed tomato products.
Brief History
The organization emerged from the collective need to streamline the tomato processing industry in Italy's southern regions, where tomato cultivation is both economically and culturally significant. It functions under national frameworks aimed at improving agricultural practices, contractual fairness, and quality assurance in tomato-derived products.
Core Business
As a non-profit interprofessional body, OI Pomodoro's core mission is to:
- Mediate and establish contracts between farmers and processing industries
- Coordinate campaigns promoting local tomato products
- Enhance traceability and food safety throughout the supply chain
- Represent Central-South Italy's tomato sector in EU-level agricultural policy dialogues
Product and Service Offerings
While OI Pomodoro does not directly manufacture tomato products, it oversees and promotes a wide array of processed tomato goods through its member companies:
- Tomato Products:
- Whole peeled tomatoes
- Diced tomatoes
- Tomato purée and concentrates
- Promotional Programs:
- Meu Tomatì – Celebrating 100% Italian tomato origin
- Etomato: A Red Passion – European Union-backed promotional campaign showcasing Italian tomato excellence across international markets
Specialisation and Core USP
OI Pomodoro specializes in creating a cooperative ecosystem that:
- Enforces fair and sustainable pricing between farmers and processors
- Promotes regional tomato excellence through DOP/IGP initiatives
- Facilitates high-visibility European marketing campaigns
- Integrates traceability platforms ensuring origin-certification
Their core strength lies in fostering synergy between producers and industries under one regulated, transparent, and quality-focused network.
Financials
As a public-interest organization, OI Pomodoro receives its funding from EU agricultural development funds, Italian government allocations, and contributions from its member base. While specific financial figures are not disclosed, EU funding through campaigns like “Etomato: A Red Passion” and “Meu Tomatì” typically involve multi-year grants exceeding €1 million.
Shipment Data
OI Pomodoro does not directly handle shipments but represents a network of processors that collectively contribute significantly to Italy’s processed tomato export industry. Italy exported over 1.9 million tonnes of processed tomato products in 2023, with Central-South Italy contributing to approximately 40% of the national production. These shipments primarily target markets in the EU, North America, and Asia.
Target Market
OI Pomodoro’s programs are designed to appeal to:
- International food industry buyers
- Distributors and retailers sourcing high-quality tomato products
- Policymakers and regulators interested in sustainable agriculture
- Consumers seeking 100% Italian, traceable food products
Capabilities
- Policy and Contracting: Legal frameworks for pricing, supply agreements, and labor regulation
- Promotion and Branding: Multi-lingual, cross-border campaigns with EU co-financing
- Sustainability: Promotes eco-friendly cultivation and reduction in food waste
- Traceability Tech: Adoption of QR codes and blockchain for full product origin tracking
Certifications and Compliance
OI Pomodoro upholds and enforces adherence to:
- EU PGI and PDO labeling standards
- ISO certifications among member processors
- National regulations on ethical labor practices in agriculture
- Full traceability and origin control in processed tomato goods
Customer Testimonials
While no individual customer reviews are available, institutional feedback during promotional events in Germany, France, and Belgium under the “Etomato” campaign highlight:
- High consumer interest in Italy-origin certification
- Strong buyer confidence in traceability features
- Preference for traditional processing methods endorsed by the organization
Major Achievements
- Successfully launched and executed “Etomato – A Red Passion” and “Meu Tomatì” campaigns across EU markets, boosting visibility of Southern Italy’s tomato sector
- Played a key role in implementing ethical labor practices in collaboration with the Italian government and EU bodies
- Contributed to the growth of Italy’s processed tomato exports, maintaining the country's position as the second largest exporter globally