A new product by Magro Brothers recently won the Eletto Prodotto dell’Anno 2013 award in Italy.

The product, Balsamic Ketchup, made from a fusion of tomatoes and balsamic vinegar, was commissioned by the De Nigris family, world leaders in the balsamic vinegar industry in Modena.

Founded in 1889, De Nigris is today a third-generation company with a passion for the vinification of wine, fruit and balsamic vinegars.

The relationship between the two companies came about when a De Nigris representative approached John Magro and proposed the creation of a new specialised product with the fusion of sun-ripe tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.

De Nigris wanted the new product to carry the Protected Geographical Indication (IGP) label. To make this possible, Magro Brothers had to acquire the authorisation by the Italian Agriculture Ministry to handle this product under strict traceability procedures.

After months of intensive trials, the product was launched in Italy last year and is available from most leading Italian supermarket chains.

The De Nigris export team has also made inroads into several European countries as well as in the US, Canada, Brasil and Japan.

Mr Magro recently attended the award-giving ceremony in Milan together with the De Nigris family.