La Fiammante is the main brand of Industria Conserve Alimentari Buccino (ICAB), a Campania‑based company with a long tradition in the production of preserved foods, dating back to the 1950s.

The company was taken over in the 1970s by the Franzese family, with the aim of reviving the authentic canning tradition of the region.

Since 2005, the year in which La Fiammante moved its plant to Buccino, the CEO has been Francesco Franzese, a member of the owning family. He pursues goals of transparency and sustainability, thanks to innovations such as blockchain technology to guarantee traceability of the production chain, from sowing to the finished product.

In addition to the La Fiammante brand, ICAB also produces other historic labels such as La Paesana and La Reale, symbols of Made in Italy in the preserves sector. The company employs about 400 people and covers an area of 100,000 square meters, standing out for the selection of high‑quality raw materials and the valorization of agricultural work.

Francesco, could you tell us about the historical milestones of the company?

The company was founded in Naples, in the Ponticelli district, in the 1950s by the Andolfo family, and was taken over by my family in the 1970s.

In 2002, to support expansion, we built a new facility in Buccino (Salerno), at the gates of the Cilento National Park, which is now the cradle for the development of the company and new products.

Can you share some figures that illustrate your company’s growth over the years?

When the company was in Ponticelli, it had about 80–100 employees in a plant of about 8,500 sqm and a turnover of just €3 million.

In 2024, we recorded 350 employees, a plant of 120,000 sqm, and a turnover of about €50 million.

The agri‑food sector is constantly innovating, especially regarding sustainability. What strategies has “La Fiammante” adopted in this area?

There are many activities. Starting with the agricultural supply chain, we have greatly reduced water use, replacing sprinkler systems with drip irrigation. In addition, our entire supply chain is certified for integrated pest management, meaning we use about 70% fewer pesticides than the legal limits.

In the plant, we carry out waste separation for all by‑products. Some, such as seeds, skins, and discolored tomatoes, are reintroduced into the cattle supply chain as animal feed.

Finally, we have photovoltaic systems that produce 180% of the energy we consume—in practice, we generate more than we need.

Tomatoes are a symbol of the Mediterranean diet. Do restaurants and large‑scale distribution require the same products?

Restaurants and large‑scale distribution differ mainly in format: restaurants prefer larger sizes. Generally, we offer the same products, but certain specialties such as San Marzano, piennolo, and corbarino are used more by pizzerias than by consumers.

Who are your main consumers worldwide? And how will U.S. tariffs affect your intercontinental trade?

Germany, USA, Canada, France, Poland, Brazil.

The tariff issue could have a very negative impact. The USA is the world’s leading tomato producer, and we risk being cut out.

Finally, what do you expect from the future of this beautiful Made in Italy reality?

I believe that producing quality is always a way of spreading beauty. And if you do it while having fun, the future cannot have limits.

Thank you for being with us. We hope your company will continue to sail with the wind at its back, bringing Made in Italy around the world!