Orto Ricci

What Orto Ricci does

Orto Ricci (legal name AZ. AGR. RICCI SIRO E FIGLI SS) is a family-owned Italian agricultural producer founded in 1938, operating from Nemi (registered office) and Anzio (farm and production facility) in the Lazio region near Rome. The company cultivates approximately 30 hectares of automated, computerized greenhouses using a hydroponic floating system and subirrigation for soilless production of fresh aromatic herbs (basil as the flagship product, plus thyme, rosemary, sage, mint, oregano, parsley, and others), leafy vegetables (lettuce varieties, rocket, lollo), and select gourmet herbs. Distinctive technical capabilities include the production of nickel-free selenium-enriched basil — hydroponically cultivated with nickel content verified below 0.03 mg/Kg through accredited laboratory testing — and the ORTO RICCI GREEN line of fully biodegradable, compostable plant-based bioplastic packaging, both described as first-of-their-kind in the sector.

The company sells exclusively through Italian organized retail distribution (GDO), with named accounts at Carrefour, Coop, Eurospin, PAM, Megamark (Dok, A&O, Famila, Iperfamila), and METRO wholesale. It has been a member of Pempacorer, one of Italy's largest national fruit and vegetable producer organizations, since 2005, and partners with Agronova for oversight of its nickel-free basil line. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; revenue is generated through wholesale fresh produce and packaged herb sales to retailers. Certifications include GLOBALG.A.P. (farm assurance) and GRASP (social practice), both obtained in 2018. The company employs approximately 6 staff per firmographic data (historical references cite ~30 permanent workers plus seasonal labor), is privately held as a Società Semplice (Italian general partnership), and has no disclosed external funding, parent entity, or public listing.

Name

Orto Ricci

Legal name

AZ. AGR. RICCI SIRO E FIGLI SS

Website

https://ortoricci.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1938

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Orto Ricci is a family-owned Italian agricultural producer (founded 1938) cultivating basil, aromatic herbs, and vegetables via hydroponic floating-system greenhouses across 30 hectares in Lazio, selling through major Italian supermarket chains.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Aromatic Herbs and Vegetables

NAICS

Food Crops Grown Under Cover (11141), Other Food Crops Grown Under Cover (111419)

SIC

Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Greenhouse Herb & Microgreens Production (Culinary Herbs, Microgreens) (AFAGAHAC)

Keywords

• Aromatic herbs production
• Fresh basil cultivation
• Hydroponic floating system
• Italian vegetable farming
• Soilless greenhouse cultivation

Headquarters

HQ city

Nemi

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Fresh Produce Sales: Orto Ricci generates revenue through the production and sale of fresh aromatic herbs (primarily basil), vegetables, and specialty produce to major Italian retail chains (GDO - Grande Distribuzione Organizzata). Products are sold throughout Italy in major supermarket chains.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Orto Ricci produces and commercializes fresh aromatic herbs (with basil as flagship, including a proprietary nickel-free selenium-enriched basil line) and fresh vegetables, cultivated on approximately 30 hectares of farmland in Lazio using a hydroponic floating-system and subirrigation in automated greenhouses. Products are packed in compostable bioplastic packaging (ORTO RICCI GREEN line) and distributed across Italy through major retail chains (GDO) including Carrefour, Coop, Eurospin, PAM, Megamark and METRO.

Product overview

Orto Ricci is an Italian agricultural company (AZ. AGR. RICCI SIRO E FIGLI SS) producing and commercializing aromatic herbs and vegetables, primarily operating in the Lazio region near Rome. The product portfolio centers on basil as the flagship product, including a distinctive Nickel-Free Selenium-Enriched Basil line produced via hydroponic floating system cultivation. The company offers three main product categories: Classic Aromatic Herbs (basil, thyme, savory, sage, rosemary, mint, oregano, chives, fennel, dill, parsley, coriander, borage, laurel, melissa, marjoram, myrtle, pennyroyal, watercress), Gourmet Aromatic Herbs (tarragon, chervil), and Vegetables (lettuce varieties, rocket, lollo, oak leaves, chili peppers). The company differentiates through sustainable practices including integrated pest management, organic cultivation portions, hydroponic floating system, rainwater recovery, and biodegradable packaging (ORTO RICCI GREEN). Products are distributed through major Italian retail channels including Carrefour, Coop, Eurospin, PAM, Megamark, and Metro.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ORTO RICCI GREEN: Plastic-free, biodegradable and compostable packaging line launched in 2019, consisting of tray and bag made from bioplastic derived from plant-based materials.

Products and services

• Basilico Nickel-Free Arricchito al Selenio (Nickel-Free Selenium-Enriched Basil) Fresh basil produced via hydroponic floating-system cultivation, enriched with selenium for antioxidant/immune benefits and verified nickel-free to address Systemic Nickel Allergy Syndrome (SNAS). Sold year-round to Italian retail chains; aimed at allergy-sensitive and health-conscious consumers.
• Premium Basil (Basilico)

Quantifiable outcome

• Nickel content verified below 0.03 mg/Kg through accredited laboratory testing
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Casa SanremominorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 January 2019Orto Ricci participated as Technical Sponsor of Casa Sanremo 2019 (February 3-9), an aggregation point for entertainment industry artists and professionals. Their basil and aromatic herbs were featured in the Casa Sanremo pizzeria and the exclusive Roof restaurant for artists, journalists, and sponsors.
• Fondazione MegamarkminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 January 2019Orto Ricci was among the sponsors of Fondazione Megamark for the 2019 edition of Orizzonti Solidali, an annual event that awards charitable projects in collaboration with Italian supermarkets Dok, A&O, Famila and Iperfamila, under the patronage of the Puglia Region.
• Comune di AnziominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 December 2018Orto Ricci participated as sponsor in the 'Mobilità Garantita' (Guaranteed Mobility) project promoted by the Comune di Anzio, contributing to the delivery of two Doblò vehicles equipped with platforms for transporting people with disabilities.
• PempacorercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2005, Orto Ricci has been part of Pempacorer, one of the largest national producer organisations in the Italian fruit and vegetable sector, enabling collective representation and commercial advantages.
• AgronovacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe company's nickel-free basil production is monitored by Agronova, which oversees the strict self-control regulations for hydroponic cultivation of the selenium-enriched, nickel-free basil line.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Planet Farms: Italian vertical-farming company producing baby leaf greens and herbs in fully controlled environments. Comparable on controlled-environment cultivation and Italian retail distribution, but uses a different (vertical farming) technology stack.

Direct peers

• Zerbinati: Italian producer of fresh-cut salads, vegetables and ready-to-eat produce with strong presence in Italian GDO and food service. Comparable to Orto Ricci on category overlap (fresh leafy/herb produce) and Italian retail/wholesale distribution.
• Cannamela (Bonduelle): Italian market-leading fresh and dried aromatic herbs brand owned by Bonduelle. Directly comparable to Orto Ricci in product category (aromatic herbs), Italian retail distribution model, and emphasis on branded packaged herbs in GDO.
• Agribologna: Large Italian producer organisation (similar cooperative structure to Pempacorer) supplying fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs to Italian retail. Comparable on Italian GDO distribution, producer-organisation model, and category overlap.
• Sfera Agricola: Italian hydroponic greenhouse operator producing leafy greens and herbs using soilless, technology-driven cultivation. Closely comparable to Orto Ricci on cultivation method, category (herbs/leafy greens) and Italian market focus, though at larger scale.

Regional players

• Fresh Herb Company (The): UK-based hydroponic producer of fresh cut herbs supplying UK and European retail. Comparable on hydroponic cultivation, fresh herb category, and supermarket-channel distribution, but UK-focused rather than Italian.
• Ortolanda: Dutch greenhouse herb specialist and one of Europe's largest producers of fresh potted and cut herbs. Comparable on hydroponic greenhouse cultivation and category, but operates in Northern Europe rather than Italy.

Broad incumbents

• Conserve Italia: Italian large food cooperative producing preserved vegetables and sauces under brands like Cirio and Valfrutta. Comparable on Italian cooperative-producer structure and large-scale GDO supply, but in preserved rather than fresh produce.
• La Linea Verde: Italian fresh-cut salads and vegetable bowls producer supplying major retailers across Europe. Comparable on fresh produce category and Italian/European retail channels, but at much larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Orogel: Italian cooperative producing fresh and frozen vegetables, with strong Italian retail presence. Comparable on Italian GDO distribution and producer-organisation structure, though focused on frozen/canned rather than fresh herbs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ortoricci
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/orto-ricci

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Orto Ricci