Auna di Sotto (BZ) – October 8, 2026 – Loacker, a global leader in wafer manufacturing and chocolate specialties, has finalized the acquisition of the Fontana Chiusa estate, completed on July 20, 2026. The operation was executed through Tenuta Corte Migliorina, the entity that now consolidates Loacker’s three directly owned agricultural estates (Migliorina, Collelungo, and Fontana Chiusa), reinforcing a decade-long strategy of direct supply chain integration.
Located between the municipalities of Labico and Palestrina, approximately 20 kilometers from Rome, Tenuta Fontana Chiusa spans 150 hectares, of which 125 hectares consist of productive hazelnut groves. With an estimated annual output of 220 to 230 metric tons of in-shell hazelnuts, the estate will contribute directly to the supply objectives of Loacker’s Italian Hazelnut Program. The first harvest designated for Loacker production is scheduled for September 2026, while planned modernization work will progressively enhance operational efficiency.
The acquisition encompasses agricultural facilities, primary processing infrastructure, drying units, and storage units. In line with its human resources strategy, Loacker has retained the existing farm workforce, integrating their specialized technical expertise into the corporate structure.
With the addition of Fontana Chiusa to the 275 hectares already cultivated in Tuscany, Loacker now directly manages approximately 400 hectares of hazelnut groves across Tuscany and Lazio. This expansion consolidates the company's operational footprint within Italy’s primary hazelnut-growing regions. Direct agricultural management allows Loacker to enforce quality standards and implement targeted agronomic practices, such as reduced chemical input, foliar fertilization, drip irrigation, and the deployment of renewable energy across operations.
Beyond directly owned orchards, Loacker’s hazelnut supply chain incorporates long-term partnerships with over 80 local farm businesses across Veneto, Umbria, Tuscany, and Marche, representing approximately 1,200 contracted hectares. Loacker supports contract growers by providing technical assistance, planting support, and guaranteed long-term purchase agreements. This framework offers financial predictability to agricultural partners while encouraging structured supply chain growth.
The primary processing hub of the supply chain is located in Capranica (Province of Viterbo). Operating under the supervision of Maurizio Furlan, Head of Hazelnut Operations at Loacker, the site carries out shelling and optical selection. Beginning in 2027, the facility will expand operations to process raw hazelnuts into semi-finished ingredients. A portion of the output will be dispatched to Loacker’s main production plants for internal roasting, while another portion will be processed on-site for business-to-business (B2B) customers.
"The Capranica plant serves as the operational link connecting agronomic management with product quality," stated Maurizio Furlan, Head of Hazelnut Operations at Loacker. "We process raw materials into premium-grade semi-finished products, serving both Loacker’s internal wafer production and third-party commercial clients seeking high-specification Italian hazelnuts."
The hazelnut supply chain initiative forms part of Loacker’s broader vertical integration strategy across key raw materials—including dedicated supply chain programs for cocoa, vanilla, milk, and wheat—designed to ensure traceability and raw material quality.
Adjacent to the Capranica processing hub, Loacker opened a dedicated brand store on August 11, 2026. The retail outlet features the brand's core product portfolio, seasonal items, and specialty gift packs.
This store establishment represents the initial phase of Loacker’s plan to extend its proprietary retail footprint in Italy beyond its historical home region of South Tyrol.
