Key Takeaways
- • Clessidra Private Equity acquired a 70% majority stake in Citres, a family-owned Italian pesto-to-salsa preserves supplier based in Bovolone, northern Italy.
- • Citres generated revenues of around €40m ($44.8m) in 2025, with exports accounting for approximately 40% of sales, according to the company statement.
- • The Compri family, which founded Citres in 1958, retains a 30% stake and will remain "actively involved in its operations."
- • The deal is Clessidra's third investment through its Clessidra Green Harvest fund, set up last year to back agri-food SMEs in Italy. Financial terms were not disclosed.
- • The stated plan is to expand production capacity, grow international presence, and maintain an ESG focus across the value chain.
Summary
Italian private equity firm Clessidra Private Equity has acquired a 70% majority stake in Citres, the family-owned Italian preserves business known for pesto-to-salsa products. According to a statement announcing the transaction, the Compri family, which established Citres in 1958, will retain the remaining 30% and stay actively involved in operations. Financial terms were not disclosed.
According to the statement, Citres generated revenues of around €40m ($44.8m) in 2025, and exports accounted for approximately 40% of sales. The company operates a 30,000-square-metre site in Bovolone in northern Italy. Lorena and Davide Compri, children of founder Renzo Compri, have run the business for the last 40 years. Just Food has asked whether they will remain with the business after the transaction.
Clessidra CEO Andrea Ottaviano said Citres fits the firm's investment criteria, citing "a strong commitment to quality, deep roots in its local market and a strong track record of innovation." Clessidra MD Marco Guglielminetti said the goal is to accelerate growth by expanding production capacity, strengthening international market presence, and maintaining a strong ESG focus across the value chain. Lorena Compri said the partnership is already producing concrete initiatives, including ongoing expansion of production capacity.
The transaction is the third made by Clessidra through its Clessidra Green Harvest fund, which the firm launched last year to back agri-food SMEs in Italy. Earlier, in November, the fund acquired a majority stake in Italian baked goods maker Laurieri for an undisclosed sum.
According to the statement, Citres generated revenues of around €40m ($44.8m) in 2025, and exports accounted for approximately 40% of sales. The company operates a 30,000-square-metre site in Bovolone in northern Italy. Lorena and Davide Compri, children of founder Renzo Compri, have run the business for the last 40 years. Just Food has asked whether they will remain with the business after the transaction.
Clessidra CEO Andrea Ottaviano said Citres fits the firm's investment criteria, citing "a strong commitment to quality, deep roots in its local market and a strong track record of innovation." Clessidra MD Marco Guglielminetti said the goal is to accelerate growth by expanding production capacity, strengthening international market presence, and maintaining a strong ESG focus across the value chain. Lorena Compri said the partnership is already producing concrete initiatives, including ongoing expansion of production capacity.
The transaction is the third made by Clessidra through its Clessidra Green Harvest fund, which the firm launched last year to back agri-food SMEs in Italy. Earlier, in November, the fund acquired a majority stake in Italian baked goods maker Laurieri for an undisclosed sum.
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