Barilla signs a further horizontal agreement with the "Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro" as part of the "Sustainable Agriculture" project.

Parma, 08.07.14 - The Barilla Group, a leader in the pasta, sauces, and baked goods sectors, has signed a horizontal agreement between supply chains with the Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro, already a Barilla partner for the development, production, and packaging of tomato-derived products.

The Consortium, based in the Cremona area, comprises over 300 farms located mainly in the provinces of Parma, Piacenza, Cremona, and Mantua, which cultivate approximately 4,500 hectares of land. Total production is 350,000 tons of fresh tomatoes and covers the entire tomato supply chain, from seed to finished product.

The agreement, which involves interaction between the tomato and durum wheat supply chains, is part of the broader "Sustainable Agriculture" (Barilla Sustainable Farming) project, which this year has already seen the signing of two previous supply chain agreements concerning the cultivation and rotation of wheat, sugar beet, rapeseed, and sunflower.

The Parma-based Group is, in fact, one of the main users of durum wheat in Italy and, as such, intends to promote projects aimed at improving cultivation in terms of economic and environmental sustainability. The agreement with the Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro, therefore, signifies a further commitment to promoting the development of joint and synergistic activities with other crop supply chains, by fostering horizontal collaborations with reliable entities in the Italian agri-food system that have embarked on a similar path of environmental, economic, and social sustainability. Through this fourth agreement with Casalasco, Barilla also aims to support farmers in developing a multi-year sustainable cultivation system, guaranteeing commercial outlets for all crops in rotation, as it believes that the fair distribution of economic value within the supply chain is one of the foundational pillars connecting the agricultural sector, the local territory, and industry.

"This sustainable agriculture model we pursue," comments Paolo Barilla, Vice President of the Barilla Group, "is also in the interest of consumers, because only through the company's continuous commitment to managing quality, food safety, and environmental impact throughout the entire supply chain can we guarantee better products by enhancing Made in Italy raw materials."
The farms and facilities of the Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro, as well as its supply chain and traceability, are certified according to the highest Italian and European standards. Adherence to voluntary protocols such as Global Gap – extended to all member farms – or to networks like the SAI Platform demonstrates a constant focus on the environment and increasingly sustainable production.

"This project, the result of our now consolidated partnership with Barilla," declares Costantino Vaia, General Manager of the Consorzio Casalasco del Pomodoro, "besides representing a further opportunity for growth and enhancement of our territory, highlights a clear commitment to developing an ethical and synergistic cooperation system for improving environmental, social, and economic standards."

The "Decalogue for Sustainable Quality Durum Wheat Cultivation," created and promoted by

Barilla, reaffirms the central role of crop rotation.

The alternation of different plant species on the same plots is of fundamental importance for improving cultivation efficiency and consequently reducing environmental impact. Indeed, correct rotation cycles make it possible to optimize the use of agrochemicals, improve fertilizer management, protect biodiversity, increase soil fertility, and, not least, reduce food safety risks.