- Unifrutti Group acquires 400-hectare Fondaco Nuovo farm in Sicily, expanding its total Italian footprint to 670 hectares.
- The acquisition strengthens Unifrutti’s position as a leading citrus producer in Italy and secures the supply of premium blood oranges, in particular the Tarocco variety, and pigmented mandarins.
- It supports a shift towards greater owned production, supply control and reliability for customers.
Unifrutti, Sicily, 23 April 2026: Unifrutti Group, a global integrated leader in premium fresh fruit production and distribution, has announced the acquisition of Fondaco Nuovo, one of Sicily’s most established citrus operations. This marks a milestone in the Group’s growth, reinforcing its strategy to expand owned production and strengthen its position in the European citrus market.
Located in the heart of Sicily’s citrus-growing region in the foothills of Mount Etna, Fondaco Nuovo spans approximately 400 hectares across two highly productive farms. It is a significant base for premium Tarocco blood oranges, which are PGI protected (‘Arancia Rossa di Sicilia’) and one of the most sought-after citrus varieties globally.
The acquisition significantly increases Unifrutti’s presence in Sicily, more than doubling its total controlled area in Italy to approximately 670 hectares, building on the Group’s existing footprint established through the acquisition of Oranfrizer in 2020. The investment reinforces Unifrutti’s focus on Europe as a core market and building an integrated, production-led platform.
Sicily is recognized as one of the most distinctive citrus-growing regions globally, particularly famous for premium blood oranges, especially the Tarocco variety, native to Italy. The unique combination of volcanic soils and day-night temperature swings in the microclimate of Mount Etna’s snow-covered slopes create the distinctive color, flavor and aroma.
The full range at Fondaco Nuovo includes early Tarocco, notably the sought-after Ippolito and Lempso varieties, with a striking red blush and prized for their exceptional taste. Late clones, Tarocco Sant’Alfio and Meli, extend the season through May, widening the retail window with high-quality fruit. Fondaco Nuovo’s own variety, the Tarocco Fondaco Nuovo, is one of the most recent Tarocco clones selected by CREA-OFA of Acireale, the leading Italian research organization dedicated to agri-food supply chains. Mandarins also form part of the range, including the pigmented Mandared, balancing sweet and sour, and Tacle, a distinctive cross between Tarocco and clementines. Limes and finger limes, rare in Sicily, complete this diverse citrus collection.
By increasing owned production, Unifrutti aims to ensure greater consistency, quality and reliability for its customers. The acquisition strengthens Unifrutti’s dual-hemisphere supply model, linking Italy with its Southern Hemisphere operations to enable year-round citrus availability.
It also creates a scalable platform to deepen relationships with European retailers, supporting long-term growth through a high-quality supply over an extended period. As one of the largest citrus producers in Europe, Italy is a natural anchor for this program.
Mohamed Elsarky, Chief Executive Officer of Unifrutti Group, commented:
“This investment marks an important step in strengthening our European platform. By expanding our presence in Sicily, we are securing a premium supply at origin and reinforcing our ability to deliver consistent quality and reliability to our customers in a wider retail window. Europe sits at the heart of our dual-hemisphere model, delivering year-round supply to our customers. This investment reflects our long-term commitment to building an integrated, resilient and value-driven business.”
Mauro Benda, Chief Executive of Unifrutti Italy and CFO Unifrutti Group, added:
“Sicily is globally recognized for premium citrus, especially blood oranges and other prized varieties. The acquisition of Fondaco Nuovo is a significant step for Unifrutti, more than doubling our owned citrus production and building on the strong foundation established with Oranfrizer in 2020. Expanding our footprint reflects our ambition to grow sustainably and with purpose.”
