Romagnoli F.lli Spa wrapped up 2017 with strong performance numbers across the board: revenue reached 32.7 million Euro (+7.4%), the number of products increased by 8.7% (seed potatoes, food potatoes, packaged products) and deliveries grew significantly as well (+20%).
The business network also expanded (a 10.2% increase in customers served), thanks to a commitment to innovation and sustainable production processes, capable of guaranteeing a high-quality product to consumers while constantly improving safety and reducing environmental impact (about 80% of agricultural companies involved in the production chain are Global Gap-certified) through an economically responsible approach that will allow for continued growth.
Speaking of growth, 2017 was also an important year from an industry 4.0 perspective, with significant investments made towards improving the technology and efficiency of the processing lines which employ water at the Molinella (Bologna) production site, to further raise our standards of service. There were positive ramifications for employment too, with 13 new jobs added.
Liquidation values on conferred potatoes also registered exceptional results - among the best in Europe - with the 1st variety liquidated at 0.24 Euro/kg (70% of the total delivered in consignment stock), the 2nd variety, which was 1% of the total, at 0.15 Euro/kg, and the 3rd variety (nominal), which was 1.46% of the total, at 0.19 Euro/kg. Although the 2017/18 commercial campaign didn’t register increases in consumption (-0.7% compared to 2016/17) and weather conditions weren’t especially favourable, our corporate policy for managing and marketing the product, thanks in part to the trust our customers afford us, allowed the company to achieve highly remunerative liquidation values on the produce received through the Agripat Soc. Agr. Association.
As far as the most successful types of products, growing consumer interest in matters such as health, proper nutrition, environmental awareness and sustainable production led - over the past three years - to a massive increase in sales for selenium-enriched potatoes (+126%), and good results for the “Patata di Campo” line developed in collaboration with Legambiente, for which Romagnoli holds exclusive distribution rights. Packaged, ready-to-eat products were also successful, growing by 13% in the first months of 2018.