The Italian-Founded Olive Oil Brand That's Actually Owned By The Chinese Government - Tasting Table

"Originally a family-owned business, today, this Italian company is owned by the Chinese government. Specifically, the controlling stake of Salov is now owned by Bright Food Group, a Chinese state-owned food conglomerate. In 2014, they purchased the company for an undisclosed amount of money."

"So why would a Chinese conglomerate care about Italian olive oil? Well, according to the group's own words published on Reuters, China is getting richer. That means millions of Chinese consumers are now actively seeking healthier, more premium foods - the Mediterranean diet kind of stuff."

"Salov has been around since 1867 and the company is still headquartered in the quaint town of Massarosa, in the heart of Tuscany. But unlike the town they operate from, Salov's operation was anything but 'quaint' - today, the company's making 370 million euros and producing 120 million liters of olive oil yearly, with its products reaching the markets of about 70 countries."

Salov, Italy's largest olive oil producer founded in 1867, is now controlled by Bright Food Group, a Chinese state-owned food conglomerate backed by Shanghai's municipal government. The acquisition occurred in 2014 as Bright Food sought to access growing Chinese consumer demand for premium, healthier foods. Salov operates from Tuscany and produces 120 million liters of olive oil annually, generating 370 million euros in revenue across 70 countries. The company owns multiple brands including Filippo Berio. This acquisition reflects broader trends of Chinese investment in European food companies to serve increasingly affluent Chinese consumers seeking Mediterranean diet products.

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