© Polenghi Group "Controlled and traceable supply chain, clear labelling, connection to the territory. The lemons we use are selected, obtained from organic farming, and processed using traditional methods. From them we obtain a pure, cold-pressed juice," reports Filippo Scandellari, managing director of the Polenghi Group, as part of his analysis of the fresh and processed lemon market.
"We have gone further with 'Polenghi Spinagallo', creating an innovative project that represents the true evolution of bottled organic juice. The uniqueness lies in the fact that we ourselves form an integral part of every stage of the supply chain, thus ensuring a product of excellence, from the tree to the table."
"This product represents the flagship of our production, the first certified supply chain agreement obtained by processing organic lemons harvested by hand at Fratelli Mazzara's Spinagallo estate located in Syracuse, Sicily, i.e., the cradle of the Syracuse Femminello. Here, there is an expanse of lemon groves stretching from the sea to the hinterland, where the ideal climate produces particularly aromatic lemons."
On the market since 1976, Polenghi is a world leader in the production of Italian lemon juice, with over 540 million lemons processed every year and exports to over 90 countries. In 2024, it closed the year with a turnover of €100 million, recording a growth of more than 30% compared to 2019." In 2025, Polenghi finalised a major strategic transaction with the acquisition of Nielsen Citrus Products Company, a Californian company specialising in the production of lemon juice. The operation aims to further support the penetration of the American market, with on-site production to guarantee a sustainable and high-quality product, also using lemons from the Italian supply chain.
© Polenghi Group
© Polenghi Group "Our flagship product is lemon juice obtained in most cases from trusted producers with whom we have built up strong relationships over the years," stresses Filippo Scandellari.
Polenghi is the leading producer and exporter of bottled lemon juice, 70% of which is obtained from lemons grown in Italy.
"The organic segment represents the business area in which we intend to invest and grow the most, although the juice obtained from standard lemons is also natural, as it contains no residues."
The focus on the naturalness and quality of the raw material is recognised and appreciated by consumers, and therefore represents an important sales driver.
"In recent years, in fact, we have seen a steady growth in the sale of our clean label products, i.e., 100% natural and preservative-free. We are proud to have signed a supply chain agreement with the Campisi Group, which guarantees a quality product grown in the Spinagallo Fund.
Fruits are transported to the plant, where the juice is bottled with a light pasteurisation, to preserve their organoleptic properties. The juice is pressed by the Sicilian company Simone Gatto using the traditional birillatura method, which, despite the lower yields, reproduces the home citrus juicer. Polenghi Spinagallo is the best organic lemon juice in the Polenghi brand assortment, and is packaged in the iconic glass 'Caraffina' bottle, launched fifty years ago and now an icon.
On the innovation side, Acti Lemon represents a real gem, an organic lemon and ginger mix, packaged in a single-serving size for a morning detox effect. This environmentally-conscious product uses recyclable plastic and paper for packaging. The company continues to innovate, introducing its products in different market categories, from breakfast departments to health products to fruit and vegetables.
© Polenghi Group
"Demand for organic lemons is growing slightly, even though we have had some downturns over the past three years, also due to short-sighted pricing policies, which are sometimes very aggressive. I am of the opinion that, in order to get this market segment off the ground, value policies must be put in place, as has been done for other valuable categories such as vinegar. Organic products cannot be compared to traditional ones, because production has high supply chain costs with more complex cultivation practices, lower yields, and higher labour costs that include certification and specific bureaucracy. The price cannot determine the choice of a certified and guaranteed healthy product, just like our Spinagallo."
© Polenghi Group
"Regarding the acquisition of the Nielsen Citrus Products Company, the United States certainly represents one of the most important markets for packaged lemon juice for the group. Attention to quality and the environmental impact of production has always been in our DNA. With this acquisition, we aim to offer American consumers the freshest juices through on-site production. The strategic location of the Nielsen plant, situated south of Los Angeles and close to lemon groves, will allow us to further raise our rigorous quality standards. The Group's expansion aims to further strengthen the company's internationalisation, which already has operations abroad in France, Belgium, the UK, and Canada.
For more information:
Polenghi Food Srl
Via Giovanni XXIII, 35
26865 San Rocco al Porto (LO) - Italy
+39 (0) 377 569120
[email protected]
www.polenghigroup.it