What Agriform does

Agriform is an Italian dairy cooperative, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Modena, that specializes in the production, aging, packaging, and sale of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses including Grana Padano DOP, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Asiago DOP, Piave DOP, Montasio DOP, and Monte Veronese DOP. On January 1, 2021, Agriform merged with Parmareggio to form Caseifici Granterre S.p.A., later reconstituted under the GranTerre group on January 1, 2023, with combined turnover approaching 600 million euros. The cooperative sources milk from more than 2,000 livestock breeders and approximately 20 member dairies, operating production facilities in Modena, Montecavolo di Quattro Castella, Sommacampagna (with 200,000-wheel aging capacity and eight portioning/packaging lines), and Busseto, and is certified to ISO 9001:2015, IFS V.6 Higher Level, and HACCP.

The company's revenue model is B2B and rests on three pillars: supplying large-scale retail (GDO) and HORECA channels with certified PDO cheeses in formats spanning whole wheels, vacuum-packed portions, thermoformed packages, grated cheese, cubes, and flakes; export to markets including the United States, Germany, France, China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Switzerland through participation in CIBUS, PLMA, Marca, and SIAL; and private-label/OEM manufacturing for retailers and foodservice operators. Agriform runs branded sub-lines (Oro del Tempo for premium aged PDO, Quota 1000 for mountain-origin Grana Padano, Marco Polo) and holds patents on innovative consumer packaging systems (Gira&Gratta, Gira&Sfoglia). Go-to-market is enterprise field sales, supplemented by trade-show lead generation, food-blogger content partnerships, and academic collaborations (University of Padua, University of Verona, CNR) under the NIP project for dairy quality and shelf-life research. Customer pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated per transaction based on cheese type, aging duration, and format.

Group oversight is exercised by GranTerre S.p.A. over the merged entity. The board is chaired by Domenico Basso with Nisio Paganin as CEO and Alessandro Mocellin as Vice-chairman; the board was expanded from five to seven members in 2019 to include representatives from key member cooperatives (Latterie Vicentine, Lattebusche).

Name

Agriform

Legal name

CASEIFICI GRANTERRE SPA

Website

https://agriform.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Agriform is an Italian cooperative dairy company producing, aging, and packaging PDO cheeses such as Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano, now operating under the GranTerre group and serving large-scale retail, foodservice, export, and private-label customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cheese manufacturing

NAICS

Cheese Manufacturing (311513)

SIC

Dairy Products (2020)

akta.pro primary industry

Cheese Manufacturing (AFAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Ripened Natural Cheese Manufacturing (Semi-Soft, Hard & Blue) (AFAHABAB), Cheese Packaging & Portioning (Retail Packs, Snack Packs, Singles) (AFAHABAI), Private Label & Contract Cheese Manufacturing (AFAHABAJ)

Keywords

• PDO cheese manufacturing
• Italian dairy production
• Grana Padano supply
• Private label cheese
• Aged cheese distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Modena

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. PDO Cheese Sales: Agriform generates primary revenue from producing, aging, packaging, and selling Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses including Grana Padano DOP, Asiago DOP, Piave DOP, Montasio DOP, Monte Veronese DOP, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, and other Italian cheese specialties. Products are sold in various formats including whole wheels, portioned wedges, grated cheese, cubes, and flakes to retail and foodservice customers.
2. Private Label Manufacturing: Agriform produces cheese products under private label/custom brands for Italian and foreign foodservice operators and retailers who wish to customize products with their own brand identity.
3. Retail Store Sales: Agriform operates a retail outlet store in Sommacampagna (Verona) selling all marketed products in various retail and wholesale sizes directly to consumers.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Agriform produces, ages, packages, and distributes Italian Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses including Grana Padano DOP, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Asiago DOP, Piave DOP, Montasio DOP, and Monte Veronese DOP. The company sells whole wheels, vacuum-packed portions, grated cheese, cubes, and flakes to large-scale retail, HORECA, international export markets, and private label partners. Products are manufactured across cooperative dairies in northeastern Italy and packaged at eight automated production lines.

Product overview

Agriform is a brand of Caseifici Granterre S.p.A., offering a comprehensive portfolio of Italian PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheeses. The core product lineup includes Grana Padano DOP, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Asiago DOP (Fresco and Stagionato), Piave DOP, Montasio DOP, Monte Veronese DOP, Gorgonzola DOP, Provolone, Pecorino Romano DOP, and Mascarpone. Products are available in multiple formats including whole wheels, vacuum-packed portions, thermoformed packages, grated cheese, cubes, and flakes. The portfolio includes innovative patented products like Gira&Gratta and Gira&Sfoglia (rotating grater systems for Grana Padano), sub-brands Oro del Tempo (premium aged selections) and QUOTA 1000 (mountain-origin Grana Padano), as well as Marco Polo (traditional Italian cheese ambassador brand) and Private Label customization services for foodservice operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Oro del Tempo: Premium brand presenting a selection of strictly PDO products, the pinnacle of Italian gastronomic excellence. Only the best wheels produced in compliance with traditional dairy techniques are selected to continue aging, making these cheeses unique and special.
• Marco Polo
• Private Label
• Quota 1000

Products and services

• Grana Padano DOP Hard, semi-fat PDO cheese made from partially skimmed cow's milk, aged 9 to over 20 months. Available in whole wheels, vacuum-packed wedges, thermoformed packages, grated cheese, cubes, flakes, and innovative formats such as Gira&Gratta and Gira&Sfoglia. Grana Padano DOP is the most widely sold PDO cheese in the world.
• Parmigiano Reggiano DOP Premium hard PDO cheese from the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, and parts of Mantua and Bologna. Aged 12 to over 30 months, available in whole wheels and various portion formats.
• Asiago DOP Fresco Fresh semi-hard, semi-cooked PDO cheese from the Asiago Alpine plateau, aged 20-40 days. Rich in live milk enzymes with a delicate, supple taste and aroma of fresh milk.
• Asiago DOP Stagionato Hard, semi-cooked, semi-fat PDO cheese from the Asiago plateau, aged 2 to over 12 months. Features compact granular paste with sweeter (Mezzano) or more intense (Vecchio) taste profiles.
• Piave DOP PDO cheese from Belluno province made from local cattle breeds. Available in Fresco (20-60 days), Mezzano (60-180 days), Vecchio (6+ months), and Vecchio Oro del Tempo (12+ months) variants. Piave Pdo Oro del Tempo became the first Italian cheese to receive the Diamond Taste Award from the International Taste Institute.
• Montasio DOP Semi-hard cooked PDO cheese from Friuli Venezia Giulia and Northeastern Veneto. Available in Fresco (2-4 months), Mezzano (4-10 months), and Stagionato (10-12 months) varieties.
• Monte Veronese DOP Semi-hard, semi-cooked PDO cheese from mountainous areas north of Verona. Two varieties: Monte Veronese Latte Intero (sweet, delicate) and Monte Veronese d'Allevo (more intense, becomes sharper with aging).
• Gorgonzola DOP Marbled PDO cheese with green mould veining, made from pasteurized milk. Available in Dolce (creamy, soft) and Piccante (sharp, firm) varieties.
• Provolone Semi-hard stretched-curd cheese from cow's milk, originally from Southern Italy. Available in Dolce (sweet) and Piccante (sharp) varieties.
• Pecorino Romano DOP Cooked, hard PDO cheese from whole sheep's milk made in Sardinia and Lazio. Aromatic and tasty, available in table and grating varieties.
• Mascarpone Delicate, fresh, creamy cheese typical of Lombardy region. Essential ingredient for Tiramisù preparation, characterized by sweet flavor and persistent butter aroma.
• Gira&Gratta Patented innovative product combining Grana Padano PDO with a practical hygienic rotating grater. Cheese is packaged in protective atmosphere allowing direct in-package grating without product waste while maintaining maximum hygiene and preserving fragrance.
• Gira&Sfoglia Patented product combining Grana Padano with a rotating mechanism to produce fresh flakes by turning the upper part counterclockwise. Maintains cheese fragrance and freshness in protective atmosphere packaging.
• Oro del Tempo Premium selection brand for top-quality PDO cheeses with extended aging. Includes Grana Padano (20+ months), Asiago d'Allevo (10+ months), Fresh Asiago (40+ days), and Piave (12+ months). Piave Pdo Oro del Tempo has achieved the Diamond Taste Award, the first Italian cheese to receive this recognition.
• QUOTA 1000 Exclusive brand for Grana Padano PDO from selected dairies in the Lessinia mountains at 1,000 meters altitude, aged over 16 months. Made with milk from pastures containing 137 different species of herbs and flowers.
• Marco Polo Brand representing Italian cuisine ambassadors offering the most renowned PDO cheeses of Italian and Venetian tradition for preparation of traditional local cuisine dishes.
• Grated Mix (Gran Primo) Selection of aged hard cheeses including Grana Padano PDO, grated and packaged in various sizes for retail (100g) and catering (1kg) applications.
• Private Label Manufacturing Custom manufacturing service for Italian and foreign foodservice operators and retailers who wish to offer PDO cheese products under their own brand identity, leveraging Agriform's production capacity and expertise.

Quantifiable outcome

• Piave Pdo Oro del Tempo has achieved the Diamond Taste Award, the first Italian cheese to receive this recognition from the International Taste Institute, having received 3-star Superior Taste rating 7 times over 10 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ParmareggiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Agriform merged with Parmareggio on January 1, 2021, to form Caseifici Granterre S.p.A., creating the largest Italian company in the world of PDO cheeses with combined turnover approaching 600 million euros. Parmareggio specializes in Parmigiano Reggiano DOP production while Agriform focuses on Grana Padano DOP and Veneto specialty cheeses. The merger combines production chains of over 2,000 breeders and approximately 20 dairies.
• GranTerre S.p.A.coreOthersFollowing the 2021 merger with Parmareggio, Agriform S.c.a. became part of Caseifici Granterre S.p.A. GranTerre S.p.A. exercises direction and coordination over Agriform, providing strategic oversight for the combined entity focused on PDO cheese production and marketing.
• Latterie VicentinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember cooperative dairy producing Asiago Fresco, Asiago Stagionato, and Grana Padano PDO at facilities in Bressanvido (Vicenza) and Bassano del Grappa (Vicenza). Contributed to multiple award wins including Gold medal at World Cheese Awards 2021 for Asiago Fresco Riserva Oro del Tempo.
• LattebuschecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember cooperative dairy producing Piave PDO and Montasio PDO at its plant in Busche, province of Belluno. Grana Padano DOP from Lattebusche was awarded the Oro del Tempo plaque at Caseus Veneti 2022.
• Consorzio GranTerre Soc. agr. Coop.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndirect beneficiary of PSR project, Consorzio GranTerre is part of the Agriform cooperative system and participates in supply chain initiatives for Grana Padano DOP production and commercialization.
• Università degli Studi di Padova (Dip. DAFNAE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner in the NIP (Nuovo Piano Industriale del Lattiero-Caseario Veneto) project focused on spectroscopic and proteomic techniques for dairy product quality monitoring and shelf-life improvement.
• Università degli Studi di VeronaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner in NIP project contributing to innovation in the Veneto dairy sector.
• Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR - Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIP project research partner providing expertise in photonic and nanotechnological applications for dairy quality analysis and monitoring.
• CHELABminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner collaborating with Agriform and University of Padua on the NIP project and Cheese Academy initiative, focusing on laboratory analysis and quality verification for Veneto dairy products.
• Caseificio Sociale Canalone Società CooperativaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirect beneficiary in Agriform supply chain project under PSR 2014-2020, producing milk for Grana Padano DOP through cooperative dairy operations.
• Santa Vittoria Società Agricola CooperativaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirect beneficiary in Agriform supply chain project under PSR 2014-2020, participating in cooperative dairy production for Grana Padano DOP.
• Brazzale S.p.A.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIP project partner representing one of 12 companies collaborating with 3 research institutions to develop sustainable dairy technologies and new products.
• Consorzio per la Tutela del Formaggio Monte VeroneseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIP project partner focused on protecting and promoting Monte Veronese PDO cheese while contributing to sustainable dairy innovation initiatives.
• Ambrosi S.p.A. Industria CaseariaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndirect beneficiary in Agriform supply chain project under PSR, Italian dairy company participating in quality and sustainability initiatives.
• AOP AgriformcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Association of Producer Organizations recognized in the dairy sector by the Veneto Region, involving over 800 livestock farmers with the aim of promoting the main PDO cheeses of northeastern Italy. Active since 2017 with ongoing activities in 2020.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Bel Group: Global dairy and cheese company (Laughing Cow, Babybel, Kiri brands) with Italian operations producing cheese portions and slices. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping portions/portioning capabilities and presence in HORECA and retail channels globally.
• Lactalis Group (Parmalat): World's largest dairy company (French-owned), with major Italian operations including Parmalat. Produces a wide range of cheeses including Italian PDO varieties. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping PDO cheese portfolio, established international distribution, and significantly greater scale and marketing resources.

Regional players

• Emmi Group: Swiss dairy processor and one of the largest cheese manufacturers in Switzerland, producing specialty and premium cheeses for European and international markets. Comparable as a European premium-dairy player focused on aged/specialty cheeses with strong B2B and export channels, though primarily operating in Switzerland rather than directly competing in Italy.

Direct peers

• Lattebusche: Belluno-based member cooperative dairy of Agriform's network, producing Piave PDO and Montasio PDO. Comparable as a cooperative dairy producing PDO cheeses with deep territorial roots, similar to the structure Agriform coordinates across northeastern Italy.
• Brazzale S.p.A. Italian dairy company (family-owned, founded 1784) producing Grana Padano, Asiago, and other Italian cheeses with a strong export focus. Directly comparable in product mix, PDO portfolio, and B2B/export distribution; also an NIP research partner with Agriform.
• Granarolo: Italy's largest dairy cooperative, producing a broad range of Italian cheeses (including Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano), fresh dairy, and milk products. Directly comparable to Agriform as an Italian dairy cooperative with overlapping PDO cheese portfolios and similar B2B distribution to GDO and HORECA.
• Latterie Vicentine: Member cooperative dairy of Agriform's network, producing Asiago Fresco, Asiago Stagionato, and Grana Padano PDO at facilities in Bressanvido and Bassano del Grappa. Comparable as a cooperative dairy operating within a larger marketing and distribution structure, similar to Agriform's relationship with its member dairies.
• Zanetti S.p.A. Italian dairy company specializing in aged cheeses including Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano, with strong presence in both retail and foodservice channels. Directly comparable as a private Italian PDO cheese manufacturer with similar aging and distribution model.
• Parmareggio (Caseifici Granterre): Italian PDO cheese specialist and Agriform's merger partner since 2021, focused on Parmigiano Reggiano DOP production. Now operates as part of Caseifici Granterre S.p.A. alongside Agriform, making it a direct sibling and most immediate comparable in product and scale.
• Ambrosi S.p.A. Industria Casearia: Italian dairy manufacturer specializing in Grana Padano DOP, Parmigiano Reggiano, and other aged Italian cheeses with significant international export presence. Directly comparable as a private Italian PDO cheese producer with similar export-focused GTM and overlapping customer base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AGRIFORMsca
• LinkedInit.linkedin.com/company/agriformsca
• Instagraminstagram.com/agriform_formaggi

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Agriform