Pomodoro S. Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese-Nocerino

A PDO covering canned peeled whole tomatoes produced exclusively from S. Marzano 2 and/or KIROS (ex Cirio 3 selection) varieties, or improved strains of these, grown and processed within the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino area spanning municipalities in the provinces of Salerno, Avellino and Naples. Both growing and industrial processing, from washing through sterilisation, must take place within the defined geographical area.

About this designation

Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-IT-1524 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013401), with EU protection dating from 2 July 1996, the designation covers tomatoes of the S. Marzano 2 and/or KIROS (ex Cirio 3 selection) varieties, or improved strains of these, processed into 'pelato' (peeled tomatoes) by industrial operators established within the production area. The specification permits no other variety. Fresh fruit suitable for peeling must meet defined morphological requirements: two or three locular cavities, a length of between 60 and 80 mm from stem joint to stylar end, an axial ratio of no less than 2,2 ± 0,2, a pH value of no more than 4,50, and a refractometric residue at 20 °C equal to or over 4,0 %. The finished preserved product must carry a net optical refractometric residue at 20 °C equal to or over 5,0 % and a pH value between 4,2 and 4,5. Table salt may be added up to 3 % of net weight; basil leaves and citric acid up to 0,5 % of product weight may also be added. The geographical area comprises named municipalities in the provinces of Salerno, Avellino and Naples, all within the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino area. Labels must carry the protected name 'Pomodoro San Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese-Nocerino', the EU symbol, the wording 'Denominazione di Origine Protetta' and/or its acronym, and the PDO logo. The applicant group is the Consorzio di Tutela del Pomodoro San Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese-Nocerino DOP.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 28, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO on 2 July 1996 under file number PDO-IT-1524 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013401).
• The specification permits only the S. Marzano 2 and/or KIROS (ex Cirio 3 selection) varieties, or improved strains of these; no other variety is permitted.
• Both the growing of tomatoes and their industrial processing — from washing to sterilisation — must take place within the defined Agro Sarnese-Nocerino area.
• Fresh fruit must have a pH value of no more than 4,50 and a refractometric residue at 20 °C equal to or over 4,0 %; the finished preserved product must show a pH between 4,2 and 4,5.

Tasting notes

Campanian elongated plum tomato from Sarno-Nocera plain, traditional San Marzano variety. Distinctive elongated shape, deep red color, thick flesh with low water content, balanced sweet-acid flavor with concentrated tomato character — the iconic pizza tomato.

HoReCa use

Pizza Napoletana sauce (canonical), Neapolitan ragù, pasta sauces (pomarola), San Marzano in scatola is benchmark for Italian tomato cuisine globally.

Packaging

• glass-jar-whole-peeled-400g
• can-whole-peeled-400g
• can-whole-peeled-2.5kg
• can-whole-peeled-3kg
• fresh-crate-5kg

Seasonality