"Our core business is processing lemon by-products, which we mainly turn into juice. Our leading product is organic lemon juice available in various formats and with innovative packaging solutions. We are talking about plastic lemon-shaped containers reminiscent of the fresh fruit available in the 250 ml format, traditional glass bottles or in single-dose sachets under the Olibar brand," reports Mino Liotti, president of Liotti Group.
Liotti is based in Calabria, in the Crotone area, and it is part of "Liotti Group", which has recently opened a processing line in Bagnolo San Vito (Mantova) by acquiring Olibar, a leading company in the sachet condiment and sugar sector. It also includes Enologica Liotti, which has been distributing and commercializing products for the wine sector for many years. Liotti Spa currently covers 15,000 sq m, 4,000 of which covered and equipped with state-of-the-art processing lines. In addition to producing lemon juice, the company facility also processes the packaging.
"In the wake of the increased knowledge of consumers on the beneficial properties of lemons and of a wider range of citrus fruits in general (bergamot oranges, oranges, clementines and tangerines), consumption has seen a double digit growth. Almost thirty years have passed from when, on June 27th 1994, we started producing the first plastic lemon-shaped containers for a batch destined to Sweden. This is how we opened up to wider markets and horizons, with trend evolutions that have led us to grow."
“We have been operating in the agricultural and food sector for years and we produce both under our own brands and for third parties. Over the years, we have invested many resources - both human and economic - in technological innovation to optimize the cost/return ratio and meet ever-increasing consumer needs while remaining competitive. Of course the juice of our Calabrese and Sicilian citrus fruit is exceptional, especially when freshly squeezed!"
The Italian lemon productions are a niche, especially if compared to the large producer countries, but they are very much in demand abroad due to their food security, healthiness and high-quality certifications. According to recent data, Italy produced around 480 thousand tons of lemons in 2020, a slight increase on a global market dominated by the produce from South America and South Africa.
"The price of lemons is determined by the global volumes, but also by the characteristics of the fruits, as well as by the packaging and sales campaigns supporting the brand. Of course we are interested in explaining how to obtain a good product to South American producers, which almost always entails experience and good agronomic practices. Argentina, for example, is making enormous progress, so much so that its producing high-quality lemons available with a countertrending commercial calendar compared to our hemisphere."
Liotti Group products are available in big retail chains, discount stores and in the H&R channel. The company, which is known on an international level for its lemon juice, acquired historic brand Olibar in 2017, a domestic leader in the sector of single-dose condiment sachets (powders and liquids such as mayonnaise, ketchup, BBQ sauce and mustard) and sugar and boasts its own typography for the customized printing of sachets.
For further information:
Liotti Spa
Zona Industriale Passovecchio
88900 Crotone (KR) - Italy
0962 938311
[email protected]
www.liotti.it