What Battaglio does

Battaglio S.p.A. is a privately held, family-controlled Italian fresh fruit importer and distributor founded in 1972, headquartered at the C.A.A.T. market in Grugliasco (Turin) with operational headquarters and a 12,000 m2 climate-controlled warehouse at Interporto S.I.TO in Rivalta di Torino and a second 13,000 m2 facility at Centro Agroalimentare di Roma (Guidonia Montecelio). The company selects, imports, ripens, and distributes approximately 20 varieties of fresh fruits — including Hass avocados, Cavendish bananas, MD2 pineapples, mangoes, citrus, papayas, pears, kiwis, and dragon fruit — sourced from more than 20 countries across four continents. Specialized banana ripening cells with ethylene-based temperature/ventilation modulation and an automated pallet tracking system underpin the Italian distribution operation, which moves roughly 160,000 kilograms of product per day at the parent level and over 500 tonnes daily across the group.

The business model is a B2B wholesale distribution model: approximately 80% of volume is sold direct to large organized retail chains (grande distribuzione organizzata) across Italy, with the remaining 20% flowing through wholesale agri-food markets. Pricing is negotiated bilaterally with retail partners and varies by fruit type, seasonality, and volume; no public consumer pricing exists. The company reaches customers primarily through field sales teams, complemented by participation in international trade shows (Fruitlogistica, Macfrut, Fruit & Veg Professional Show) and brand-building activity including television advertising, sports sponsorships, and the Frutta Party school education program.

Battaglio has executed a deliberate vertical-integration strategy since 2018, taking ownership stakes in primary production across multiple continents: Agricola Persea (Colombia, Hass avocados, JV with C.I. Tropical, 2018), Agricola Sundays (South Africa, citrus, 2021), Agricola Alto Valle (Argentina, pears and apples, 2022), Agricola Alba (Italy, premium Orri mandarins, 2014/2022), and Agricola El Camino (Costa Rica, pineapples, 2025). The group also includes Battaglio Argentina S.A. (Rosario), Agricola Don Camillo S.R.L. (Italian farmer organization), and the holding entity Battaglio Gestioni. In 2025 the group reported total sales of approximately €376 million (Battaglio S.p.A. €256M, Agricola Don Camillo €79M, Battaglio Argentina €25M, other participations €16M), with certifications across GLOBALG.A.P., IFS, BIO, and Fairtrade supporting retailer access.

Name

Battaglio

Legal name

Battaglio S.p.A.

Website

https://battaglio.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Battaglio is a family-controlled Italian fresh fruit importer and distributor founded in 1972 that supplies Italian large organized retail and wholesale markets with 20+ exotic and traditional fruit varieties sourced from 20+ countries, supported by vertically integrated farms across four continents and two climate-controlled Italian warehouses with specialized ripening facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Produce Distribution

NAICS

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (424480), Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing (3114)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

Terminal Market / Produce Market Wholesalers (AFAIACAK)

Keywords

• Fresh fruit distribution
• Exotic fruit import
• Banana ripening services
• Wholesale produce supply
• Cold chain logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Grugliasco

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fresh Fruit Wholesale Distribution: Battaglio generates revenue through importing, distributing, and selling fresh exotic and traditional fruits to large organized retail (80%) and wholesale agri-food markets (20%). The company trades approximately 160,000 kilograms of product daily, with bananas being a key category where they handle the full value chain from import to controlled ripening and distribution.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Battaglio imports, ripens, and distributes fresh exotic and traditional fruits (avocados, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, citrus, pears, kiwis, and tropical specialties) sourced from over 20 countries across four continents. The company runs climate-controlled warehouses with banana ripening cells in Turin and Rome, trading approximately 160,000 kilograms of product per day. It serves Italian large organized retail chains (80% of volume) and wholesale agri-food markets (20%) through direct sales relationships and field sales teams.

Product overview

Battaglio is a fresh fruit import and distribution company that selects and imports exotic and traditional fruits from over 20 countries across 4 continents. The company operates a unified product portfolio centered on fresh produce, including Hass avocados, pineapples, bananas, mangoes, citrus fruits, tropical fruits, and temperate fruits. With an annual trade volume of 160,000 kg and operations since 1972, Battaglio distributes through the grande distribuzione organizzata (large retail chains) and wholesale markets. The company has developed vertical integration through agricultural subsidiaries (Agricola Persea, Agricola Don Camillo, Agricola Alba, Agricola Sundays, Agricola Alto Valle, Agricola El Camino) that produce fruits under the Battaglio brand. Additional initiatives include the Frutta Party food education program for schools and avocado-based recipes and content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Battaglio Gestioni: Holding company that owns holdings, controls management and financial structure, and undertakes new projects in areas of strategic interest.

Products and services

• Hass Avocado Premium Hass avocado variety sourced from Peru, Chile, Mexico, and own Colombian production; known for rich flavor, creamy texture, and distinctive dark skin when ripe. Sold wholesale to Italian retail chains and wholesale markets.
• Banana (Battaglio branded) Cavendish banana variety sourced from Costa Rica, Colombia, and Peru, distributed under the Battaglio brand with controlled ripening in dedicated climate-controlled cells monitored 24/7.
• Pineapple MD2 hybrid pineapple variety sourced from Costa Rica and own Agricola El Camino production, known for exceptional sweetness and refreshing quality.
• Battaglio Exotic Fruits Line Branded line of exotic fruits ripened to perfection and distributed to Italian supermarkets under the Battaglio brand, building on the company's controlled ripening capabilities.
• Mango Palmer, Kent, and Tommy Atkins mango varieties sourced from Brazil and Peru.
• Passion Fruit Fresh passion fruit from selected Colombian plantations, harvested when naturally fallen and ripe.
• Orange Valencia and Navel orange varieties sourced from South Africa, Argentina, and Spain.
• Mandarin Leanri, Nadorcott, Orri, and Tang Gold mandarin varieties from South Africa and Spain, including premium seedless Orri variety from own Italian production.
• Lemon Primofiore, Eureka, and Verna lemon varieties sourced from South Africa, Argentina, and Spain.
• Pear Abate Fetel, Coscia, Forelle, Red Bartlett, and Williams pear varieties from Argentina, Chile, South Africa, and own Rio Negro production.
• Kiwi Hayward and Sungold kiwi varieties sourced from Chile, New Zealand, and Italy.
• Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) Yellow and Red pitaya varieties sourced from Colombia, Ecuador, and Vietnam.
• Papaya Golden and Formosa papaya varieties sourced from Brazil.
• Grapefruit Star Ruby red grapefruit variety sourced from Spain, South Africa, and Turkey.
• Pomelo Chinese pomelo variety, one of the largest citrus fruits, available in autumn and spring.
• Ginger Fresh ginger sourced from Peru, available year-round.
• Coconut Fresh coconut sourced from Ivory Coast, available year-round.
• Lychee Fresh lychee sourced from Madagascar, available mainly in winter and holiday season.
• Lime Fresh lime sourced from Mexico and Brazil, available year-round.
• Bananito Small banana-like fruit from Colombia, with sweeter taste and thinner skin than regular bananas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Battaglio distributes over 500 tonnes of fruit daily in Italy
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SRCC (Sundays River Citrus Company)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Historical South African supplier founded in 1924, world leader in citrus export (130kT+). Partnership formed the basis for Agricola Sundays with 16 other local producers in the Sundays River Valley, cultivating lemons, Navel and Valencia oranges, and late mandarin varieties.
• C.I. TropicalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Leading Colombian company in banana production and export. Joint venture with Battaglio to create Agricola Persea, dedicated to Hass avocado production with approximately 1,000 hectares in Valle del Cauca, Colombia.
• FairtradecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFairtrade international certification system for fair and solidarity trade. Battaglio sources exclusively from structured and reliable suppliers working according to Fairtrade standards, ensuring products are made without worker or environmental exploitation.
• GLOBALG.A.P.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal agricultural certification organization that attests to compliance with specific standards guaranteeing safe and sustainable farming practices. Nearly all of Battaglio's suppliers hold GLOBALG.A.P. certification.
• IFS (International Featured Standards)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood safety certification that confirms Battaglio's attention to product quality and consumer wellbeing, demonstrating compliance with rigorous food safety standards.
• TrigeniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy efficiency consulting company and Battaglio's participating company, activating green projects including photovoltaic installations, LED lighting systems, and plans for a Renewable Energy Community.
• Banco AlimentareminorOthersItalian food bank organization fighting food waste. Battaglio is among the largest donors by weight of produce in Italy, regularly donating surplus fruit to combat food waste and support those in need.
• RegustominorOthersFirst European-level food sharing portal for charity. Through this partnership, Battaglio has distributed 137,000 kg of products (equivalent to 275,000 meals) and saved over 25,000 kg of CO2.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bonduelle Group: French global leader in processed and fresh vegetables (canned, frozen, fresh-cut). Comparable to Battaglio through its vertically integrated farm-to-retail produce model in Europe, though primarily vegetables rather than exotic fruit.
• Chiquita Brands International: Major global banana and fresh produce producer and distributor with European distribution focus. Comparable to Battaglio through its banana ripening and European retail supply capabilities, though with significantly larger global scale.
• Dole plc: Global producer and distributor of fresh fruit and vegetables including bananas, pineapples, avocados, and citrus. Comparable to Battaglio as a multi-category, multi-origin fresh fruit supplier, though far larger and serving global rather than Italy-focused retail.
• Naturipe Farms: North American grower-owned marketer of fresh berries and avocados. Comparable to Battaglio through its vertically integrated grower-to-retailer model for fresh produce categories including avocados.
• Fresh Del Monte Produce: Vertically integrated global producer, transporter, and distributor of fresh and fresh-cut fruit including bananas, pineapples, melons, and avocados. Comparable to Battaglio through its owned-farms-plus-distribution model across multiple continents.

Direct peers

• Special Fruit: Belgian importer and distributor of exotic and off-season fresh fruit (mangoes, avocados, pineapples, passion fruit) for European retail. Highly comparable to Battaglio through its exotic fruit sourcing, ripening, and European retail supply focus.
• Apofruit: Italian fruit and vegetable cooperative producing, packaging, and distributing fresh produce to Italian and European retailers. Closely comparable as a domestic Italian fresh produce wholesaler with integrated grower relationships serving large retail chains.
• Oranfrizer: Italian producer and global distributor of citrus juices and fresh citrus, including blood oranges. Comparable to Battaglio as an Italy-based fruit company with vertical integration from orchards to processed/fresh distribution across Europe.
• Zuegg: Italian fruit processing company producing jams, juices, and frozen fruit products for retail and foodservice. Comparable to Battaglio through its integrated Italian fruit sourcing, processing, and branded distribution model.
• Nature's Pride: Dutch-based importer and distributor of exotic and fresh fruit (avocados, mangoes, berries) serving European retailers. Comparable to Battaglio through its exotic fruit import, ripening, and direct-supply model for European supermarket chains.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/battaglio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/battaglio-spa

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries8 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 Battaglio