In 2000, a new product was introduced - soft, ready-to-eat chestunts which, three years later, became their staple product.
The team, guided with competence and far-sightedness towards important domestic and international goals, launched Naturì, the tasty Italcastagne range.
Innovation and respect for the family tradition are the main elements to reach new goals and keep up with the times.
The new range uses only the best produce from the Italian territory to make a variety of products such as - soft peeled chetnuts, peeled potatoes, tipped green beans, peeled sliced carrots and dried tomatoes. Packets are practical and preserve the products for a very long time without the need for preservatives and colourings.
Elio Giuseppe Ingino, general manager for Italcastagne
General manager Elio Giuseppe Ingino explained that "Italcastagne cultivates various hectares of chestnut groves on the Iripinia mountains. We have many products in our range, but are particularly proud of having introduced a delicious innovative snack - ready-to-eat chestnuts. Something that many other companies tries to imitate but with little success."
How are the products obtained and monitored?
"Our processing method is what makes all our snacks so good and versatile. We use technologies that can turn freshly-harvested products into delicious bite-sized treats that are ready to eat or to use for amazing dishes.
Everything is steam-cooked, so the products are light and with a low fat content and maintain their properties and flavour intact.
All processing phases are constantly monitored to guarantee the best results. Raw materials are accurately selected by experienced personnel and checked using sophisticated equipment.
The produce is weighed, sorted and packaged automatically. Then it undergoes a particular steam-cooking process that does not alter it. A belt takes the finished products to a warehouse, ready to reach our consumers' tables."
How did the campaign go?
"Even though the 2016 chestnut campaign wasn't particularly good, sales did increase by 15% with respect to 2015, also thanks to new interesting snack ideas."
"Our products are distributed by the largest dried fruit brands in Italy. In addition, Italcastagne has always focused on exporting these delicious snacks to the European Union and overseas."
The company focused on ready-to-eat snacks because modern consumers have increasingly less time to dedicate to shopping and cooking, but are not willing to give up high-quality Italian products.
"We have always sold our products through retailers all over the world. Our e-commerce will be up soon, so our products will be available for purchase online too."
Contacts:
Italcastagne Srl
Elio Giuseppe Ingino - Direttore Generale
Cell.: (+39) 340 3813200
Email: elio@italcastagne.it
Web: www.naturi.it - www.italcastagne.it