Mutti has warned that prices could increase if oil prices remain high during the crucial summer tomato harvest season.

The Italian food group, one of Europe’s largest producers of chopped tomatoes, passata and purées, said it was facing energy costs around 50 per cent higher than expected as the Iran war continues to disrupt oil and gas markets.

Chief executive Francesco Mutti said the family-owned business had so far avoided putting up prices, but warned that the period between July and September would be decisive.

The company uses around three quarters of its annual energy bill during the peak European tomato season, when tomatoes are harvested and processed at scale.

Mutti said the business would assess its position once the harvest had finished, with any potential price rises coming after the season ends.

“There, depending on the level, we will have to take the decision about what our position will be on the market,” he said.

The Parma-based company processed more than 700,000 tonnes of tomatoes last year and generated close to €800m in revenue.

Founded in 1899 by Marcelino and Callisto Mutti, the business remains family-owned, with Francesco Mutti representing the fourth generation to lead the company.

Although all production remains in Italy, Mutti exports its tomato pastes, purées, pulps, ready-made sauces and soups around the world, including to the UK, US and Australia.

In Britain, tins of Mutti Polpa chopped tomatoes sell for around £1.60, with the brand competing closely with Napolina among the leading non-supermarket tomato brands.

Mutti said this year’s Italian tomato harvest would be a “key element” in deciding whether prices need to rise.

He said early signs suggested a good crop, but warned that conditions could still change quickly. Last year’s harvest was hit hard by adverse weather, with Mutti saying more than a third of the crop was lost.

“For the moment there seems to be a good crop but it can change dramatically, like what happened in 2024,” he said.

The company said the outlook would depend both on production levels and the oil price during the summer.

Mutti said oil at $80 a barrel would be “not fantastic”, but warned that at $120 “there will be an issue”.

A strong crop could help offset higher energy costs, he said. However, weaker yields would intensify pressure, as industrial demand for tomatoes rises and processors are forced to pay more to secure supply and support farmers.

In March, Princes, one of Britain’s biggest food suppliers and the owner of Napolina, pushed through emergency price increases after warning European supermarkets of “unprecedented cost pressures”.

Mutti said the business was currently taking a wait-and-see approach, with summer contracts already agreed with Italian farming partners.

The company will review packaging procurement, energy supplies and wider costs over the coming months before deciding whether pricing action is needed after the harvest.

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