Italy’s dairy group Granarolo has inaugurated a new dairy facility in Gioia del Colle, near Bari, as part of a €25 million investment aimed at expanding its production of traditional Apulian cheeses for both domestic and international markets.
The “Perla” plant, previously renovated in 2002, had been producing milk under the Perla and Granarolo brands. Following a major upgrade launched in 2023, the site has been converted to manufacture regional cheese specialities including burrata, stracciatella, buffalo mozzarella, and ricotta — all of which are seeing rising demand abroad.
The opening ceremony was attended by Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests, Francesco Lollobrigida, and European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto.
The site forms part of Granarolo’s vertically integrated supply chain, with milk and cream sourced from cooperative members in Puglia and Basilicata under the Granlatte system. This structure, the company says, ensures full traceability and adherence to high animal welfare standards.
Custom-engineered production lines have also been installed to enhance the microbiological quality of products such as burrata, improving shelf life and supporting the company’s export ambitions. Demand for burrata, in particular, has grown significantly across international markets in recent years.
At full capacity, the plant will process 60,000 tonnes of milk annually into 10,000 tonnes of finished product. Granarolo expects to double the site’s workforce by 2027.
“Burrata has become a flagship of Italian food culture,” said Granarolo chairman Gianpiero Calzolari. “That’s why we are investing not only in technology, but also in skills: workers who once bottled milk will now become specialists in crafting one of Italy’s most sought-after cheeses. They’ll be joined by new colleagues as we scale up.” Calzolari pointed to the dual challenge of securing consistent milk supplies from the region and managing seasonal production peaks, while maintaining high-quality standards and shelf life suitable for international distribution.
L’articolo Granarolo Opens New Dairy Plant in Gioia del Colle, Bari proviene da Italianfood.net.
