Madama Oliva.
A family story
A long family tradition of olive processing now brings a wide range of olive cultivars to tables around the world, whether natural or seasoned with recipes designed to enhance the flavours of each variety, alongside a selection of vegetables and spices.
The history
1950
It all began in the 1920s in Castel Madama, a predominantly agricultural town, where the first businesses dedicated to processing local produce emerged. Rome was easily accessible, and carts transported seasonal fruit and olives from the town to the capital. Many families in Castel Madama took up this trade, specialising mainly in oven-dried olives, dried in household fireplaces.
In the following years, particularly during the 1950s, these family-run businesses evolved into small enterprises, creating numerous jobs. Among these, the Mancini family stood out for their dedication and passion, combining tradition with increasingly advanced industrial technologies to achieve remarkable results almost straight away.
The late 1980s were a time of significant socio-political changes. In 1989, Angelo Mancini had the vision to establish a company specialising in table olive processing. It was an ambitious project, forward-looking yet deeply rooted in a strong sense of heritage and connection to the company’s origins.
Five founders, united by the same vision, joined forces with the goal of becoming Specialists in Table Olives and delivering the best possible consumer experience worldwide. This vision became the cornerstone of Madama Oliva’s success.
2000
Dedication, expertise and commitment slowly enabled the company to establish itself in the Italian market. Continuous innovation in processing methods, products and cutting-edge packaging strengthened its reputation as a serious and reliable business, opening up new and important opportunities in the market.
2013
After consolidating its leadership in Italy, with the turn of the millennium, Madama Oliva began targeting international markets. Its products landed in the United States, where they enjoyed immediate success, making the company Italy’s leading exporter of table olives.
Following its success in the U.S., Madama Oliva entered the Japanese market. Within just a few years, it became the leading Italian company in the market for fresh packaged olives sold in supermarkets.
In those same years, the company continued investing in innovation, acquiring state-of-the-art machinery and focusing on research and development to create new product lines tailored to both international and domestic markets.
At the same time, Madama Oliva embarked on a series of acquisitions in Sicily (Agrofood) and Greece (PVG Hellas) to ensure the quality and quantity of raw materials and maintain direct control over the supply chain.
Participation in numerous national and international trade fairs further strengthened the brand’s reputation, making it possible to reach an increasingly specialised audience.
In 2008, Madama Oliva demonstrated its commitment to environmental issues by installing the largest integrated photovoltaic solar system recorded in Italy at the time. Moreover, the company launched significant social and cultural partnerships in support of the local community, including a collaboration with FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano), which continues to this day.
2018
After 25 years of business, the company was well-established both in Italy and abroad, and Madama Oliva was ready to face new challenges and adventures. However, in November 2018, a fire partially destroyed the company’s facilities.
2021
Despite the damage, the company resumed operations, salvaging part of the structure. The production site in Carsoli was completely renovated, now covering 70,000 square metres, 27,000 of which are indoors. The new facility, designed with innovative technologies, is capable of meeting the growing demands of both national and international markets.
2024
Madama Oliva’s products are now sold across five continents, and its long-standing commitment to sustainability continues relentlessly with research into eco-friendly materials and packaging. Innovation remains a key aspect of the company, both in terms of technology and product development.
This forward-looking vision inspired Madama Oliva to become a Benefit Corporation, embarking on a journey to enhance its environmental and social performance. This transformation enables the company to turn a long-standing commitment into measurable actions, aiming to promote an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economic system that benefits people, communities and the planet.
2024
“We have become a Benefit Corporation to strengthen and make tangible our commitment to people and the local area. We firmly believe that broadening our business purpose to encompass a commitment to making a positive impact on society and the biosphere – beyond merely pursuing profit – represents the only sustainable path for long-term growth.”
During this period, Madama Oliva transitioned from a Limited Company to a Joint Stock Company to adapt its corporate structure to its growing production and provide an even more reliable framework for employees, suppliers and customers.
Commitment, dedication and expertise allowed Madama Oliva to consolidate its position in the Italian market within just a few years. Today, Antonio and Sabrina Mancini, along with their father Angelo, lead the company with the valuable support of their collaborators.
Logo Evolution
