Red Gold Tomatoes Return to Promote Premium European Canned Tomatoes. European tomatoes are a culinary treasure for classic Italian dishes as well as vibrant Indian dishes.

Whether peeled whole, chopped, or cherry tomatoes, Europe’s excellent canned tomatoes are a culinary treasure, delicious for classic Italian dishes such as pizza, pasta, and sauces, as well as vibrant Indian dishes.

The campaign – managed by OI Pomodoro da Industria Centro Sud – Italia – an Association that unites tomato growers and the tomato canning industry – and co-funded by the European Commission – promotes the export of Europe’s excellent canned tomatoes, raising awareness of their high-quality and versatility.

“We see a great opportunity to increase the export of canned tomatoes from Italy into India, specifically whole peeled tomatoes, chopped tomatoes and cherry tomatoes.

Red Gold Tomatoes
From Left to right Atul Khanna, Director i2i Consulting, Chef Manjit Gill, President of Indian Federation of Culinary Associations, Chef Parvinder Singh Bali, Devna Khanna, Director, i2i Consulting, Mr. & Mrs Gurpreet Singh Tikku.

“We see a great opportunity to increase the export of canned tomatoes from Italy into India, specifically whole peeled tomatoes, chopped tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. More than ever before, home cooks and chefs are demanding premium ingredients that are healthy, nutritious and safe,” says the President of OI Pomodoro da Industria Centro Sud – Italia, Guglielmo Vaccaro.

“The figures for the import into India of whole and chopped canned tomatoes at the end of 2022 are extremely encouraging as they amounted to €3.4 million compared with €1.3 million at the end of 2021. Italy has been by far the major contributor to this positive trend, seeing growth from 1.3 to 3.2 million euros, and is the largest exporter of tinned whole and chopped tomatoes overall. A total of 2,978 tonnes of canned whole and chopped tomatoes were exported from Italy to India. Imports from Italy for the first 5 months of 2023 amounted to approximately €1.4 million, up from €1.3 million in the first 5 months of 2022,” Guglielmo said.

The campaign, called “Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe”, aims to raise awareness of European canned tomatoes, preserved using a mix of traditional wisdom and up-to-date technology to the highest quality and safety standards. The superior quality and flavour of canned tomatoes from Europe, and especially from Italy, is perfect for food professionals and chefs, home cooks, and influencers alike.

Our tomatoes are picked at their peak of ripeness, full of Mediterranean sunshine, and utterly delicious. But their goodness is not just in their flavour: they also offer an abundance of vitamins A and C, and minerals, including potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and fibre, as well as being low in calories. Interestingly, while many foods are at their best eaten raw and fresh, tomatoes – rich in lycopene, a protective antioxidant – provide a higher level of lycopene when canned than when raw.

Interested readers may visit their booth D10 in Hall 1B at SIAL, The International Trade show, from December 7th to 9th 2023 at IICC (Yashobhoomi) Dwarka, New Delhi to find out more about these premium canned tomatoes and visit the dedicated demo area of the show to taste some of the special dishes using Red Gold tomatoes from Europe prepared by our chefs.

The Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe campaign will be back in Delhi in March 2024 at AAHAR, the International Food and Hospitality Fair.

About ‘Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe

Red Gold Tomatoes from Europe is the EU (European Union) project to raise awareness of EU preserved (canned) tomatoes 100% made in Europe. Canned preserved tomatoes are produced by a traditional process that keeps intact all the flavour of the fruit, picked at the peak of its ripeness and aroma.

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