ANICAV, the world's largest tomato processing association, has undergone a change of leadership. During the annual members' meeting held in Rome, Aldo Rodolfi was elected as its new president, succeeding Marco Serafini, who led the association for the past five years. Rodolfi, 56, is president of Rodolfi Mansueto, a historic Parma-based company that, with 130 years of business, is the oldest member of ANICAV. The new president is also a member of the SSICA Foundation's Steering Committee and a member of the General Council of the Parma Industrialists' Union.
In his keynote address, Rodolfi outlined the guidelines for the association's new direction: strengthening the industry's reputation, increasing dialogue with the agricultural supply chain, promoting tomato products on international markets, and more actively engaging member companies through local committees and product groups. Generational turnover and the participation of younger generations in the sector are also central. "I thank all my colleagues for the trust they have placed in me by entrusting me with the leadership of the association. This is a source of enormous pride for me," stated the new president. "We are in a period of profound transformation, which presents us with significant challenges but also new opportunities for growth. To continue strengthening our competitiveness, it will be essential to be able to interpret change with strategic vision, adaptability, and a spirit of collaboration."
Rodolfi also emphasized the strategic role of industry representation in a period marked by economic and geopolitical changes, highlighting how cohesion, dialogue, and shared goals will be key elements in addressing the future challenges of the Italian canning industry. ANICAV currently represents approximately three-quarters of the processing industries operating in Italy, companies that process approximately 70% of the tomatoes processed in Italy and almost all of the whole peeled tomatoes produced worldwide.
In 2025, the sector represented by the association generated a turnover of €3,7 billion, over 70% of the entire Italian tomato processing sector. It is a highly export-oriented industry: approximately 60% of production is destined for foreign markets, with a consolidated presence in Europe—especially Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—as well as the United States, Japan, and Australia. Processed tomatoes thus confirm their position as a symbol of Made in Italy agri-food worldwide, with a supply chain that increasingly focuses on quality, innovation, and the ability to dominate international markets in an ever-evolving competitive landscape.
