The Italian processing tomato supply chain has completed the agreements for the 2026 season. ANICAV and the Producer Organizations of the Central-Southern Basin have signed an agreement that will govern the next processing season, establishing average reference prices and confirming the rules already adopted in previous campaigns.
The agreement, signed in Naples, follows the one reached last March for the Northern Basin and thus concludes the national negotiations. The parties' stated objective is to ensure stability, planning, and operational continuity for a strategic sector for the Italian agri-food industry.
The agreement confirms the framework of the Area Framework Agreement already used in the 2024 and 2025 campaigns, a choice motivated by the need to quickly provide certainty to producers and industries ahead of the start of harvesting and processing.
On the economic front, an average reference price of €140 per ton has been set for round tomatoes, €150 for elongated tomatoes, and €210 for cherry tomatoes. A significant increase in the value of organic produce is also expected, with a €45 per ton increase for all varieties compared to previous campaigns.
The parties also agreed to maintain the price differential between round and elongated tomatoes, with the aim of supporting production destined for peeled tomatoes in particular. This also includes shared support for the process of obtaining the PGI Pomodoro Pelato di Napoli (Peeled Tomatoes of Naples) recognition.
"A sense of responsibility prevailed on both sides," said Pasquale D'Acunzi, coordinator of the ANICAV Central-Southern Committee. "It was essential to provide businesses and producers with a clear framework to manage the campaign with the necessary peace of mind. We couldn't have faced the season without a contract and an average reference price."
According to D'Acunzi, the agreement could provide a stable foundation for strengthening trust between farmers and industry, creating the conditions for better planning and mutual benefits along the entire supply chain.
Satisfaction was also expressed by ANICAV President Aldo Rodolfi, who emphasized that the agreement completes the framework of agreements for the entire national sector. "We have created the conditions to face the 2026 campaign with stability and certainty, an essential foundation for safeguarding the competitiveness of the sector," he stated.
The agreement is of significant importance for a sector that represents one of the finest examples of Made in Italy. ANICAV member companies process approximately 70% of the country's tomatoes and generate a total turnover of €3,7 billion. A significant portion of production, approximately 60%, is destined for international markets, confirming the role of Italian tomatoes as a symbol of the national agri-food industry worldwide.
