Agrintesa invests 25 million euros in new European kiwi hub

The Agrintesa cooperative has inaugurated a renovated and expanded industrial facility in Castel Bolognese, Italy, establishing a major European hub for kiwi management. The project involved a 25 million euro investment, co-financed by two PNRR funds, aimed at increasing efficiency and capacity within the fruit supply chain.

The upgrade includes 44 new controlled-atmosphere storage cells covering 8,100 square meters, which increases the facility's total storage capacity by 54% to 308,000 quintals. The project integrates automation, digitalization, and sustainability features, such as a 2,307 kWp photovoltaic system designed to reduce energy consumption by 15% and save an estimated 1,148 tons of CO2 annually.

Kiwi production currently accounts for approximately 30% of the cooperative's fruit basket, involving 747 member farms across Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Calabria, and Veneto. By 2030, Agrintesa plans to manage 600,000 quintals annually and expand its specialization to include plums, apricots, and Williams pears. The expansion is also expected to increase the workforce from 280 to 450 employees.