The Marche-based company, a leader in the trout farming sector, has established itself internationally under the guidance of Niccola Rossi, guardian of a family tradition that has been able to innovate over time.
The story of Erede Rossi Silvio di Rossi Niccola, now the leading name in Italian and European trout farming, combines the tradition of an ancient craft with the modernity of true Italianentrepreneurial excellence. It is a story that begins in the fresh waters of the Marche Apennines and flows from the river to the sea, crossing regions, countries and eras.
In the 1940s, the founder Silvio Rossi, a pioneer convinced of the potential of a business that was still in its infancy in Italy, developed the idea of breeding trout in the beautiful valleys of the Marche hinterland, in Sefro. When, in 1961, the 16-year-old Niccola was forced to interrupt his studies due to the sudden death of his father and take care of the small farm in the Apennines, he would never have thought that a few decades later his company would produce in one day what it then produced in two years. But that is what happens when a clear vision, developed from the ruins of a nation in need of reconstruction, meets the determination of a family that looks beyond bordersand beyond present time. Niccola, with his brothers Carlo and Mario, decided to continue his father’s business, gradually expanding the company’s area of development. Carlo was entrusted with production, the hatchery, health management and work organisation, while Niccola, the true linchpin of the group, was given the complex task of becoming the tenacious leader and hub of the family business.
Today, the third generation of that family, consisting of Roberto, Rodolfo and Silvio, leads a group that has grown while keeping its original DNA intact. A special place in the family and companyhistory also belongs to Silvia, Niccola’s fourth daughter, who passed away prematurely at the age of 50, whose commitment and dedication contributed significantly to the development of the business. Alongside the three brothers is their father Niccola, a charismatic leader who, despite being over 80 years old, continues to travel thousands of kilometres every year to personally oversee the facilities, supply chain and departments. This family leadership is based on an organisation of around 400 employees distributed across farms, feed mills, production facilities and logistics, supported by a team of technicians, biologists, veterinarians and industry specialists.
“In recent decades, the group’s growth has been steady and strategic: from Umbria to Veneto, from Friuli to Lombardy, from Abruzzo to Lazio, to a network of around twenty breeding facilities and two feed mills owned by the company in Terni and Cassolnovo,” says Niccola Rossi. “The decision to produce feed in-house was a decisive step: controlling the feed formulation ourselves means guaranteeing a 100% closed supply chain, total traceability, a product of the highest quality and a reduced environmental impact. A vision that seems natural today, but one that the Rossi family embraced well in advance of industry trends.”
At the Erede Rossi Silvio farm, sustainability is not just a protocol, but an ethical principle driven by a deep sense of responsibility. “As entrepreneurs, we are the first to protect the environment and animals,” explains Niccola. “That’s why we were among the very first to introduce an antibiotic-free product to the market. It’s a simple idea that involves complex practices: low stocking density, pure water from mountain springs, feed calibrated to reduce impact, and above all, a scientific approach to animal welfare developed in collaboration with universities and research centres. Studies conducted – with underwater cameras, cortisol analysis, and behavioural checks – have made it possible to understand and minimise stress in animals at every stage of their lives. Even the final stage, traditionally a delicate one, has been revolutionised with quick and respectful stunning techniques, which guarantee less stress for the animal and more compact, high-quality meat for the consumer.”
In addition to freshwater trout farming, the Rossi family, with Niccola at the forefront, took on the great challenge of the sea about ten years ago. The establishment of a sea bream and sea bass farm in Albania and the acquisition of one of Europe’s most important facilities for the production of marine species eggs and fry in Puglia represented a major step forward not only for the Rossi family but for the entire industry. These strategies have enabled the companies to serve the entire Mediterranean basin, positioning themselves as one of the main suppliers in the sector. “Today, we produce around 120,000 quintals of fish per year for large-scale national distribution, with partners such as Coop, Conad, Esselunga and Bennet,” says the manager. “The fact that the group manages every stage internally, from eggs to final packaging, is a guarantee of quality for customers. Our product range is wide and diverse: whole trout, fillets, salmon trout, smoked fish, ready-made preparations, sea bream and sea bass of various sizes. This selection highlights an often underestimated aspect: trout is a modern food, rich in Omega 3, low in fat, sustainable, suitable for both children’s diets and the needs of contemporary cuisine that seeks authenticity and lightness. It is no coincidence that in recent years, numerous Michelin-starred chefs have rediscovered this Italian fish, including it in their menus as a versatile and distinctive ingredient.”
In a sector dominated by imports and foreign production, Erede Rossi Silvio has been able to defend and safeguard an important and almost forgotten part of Italy’s cultural, gastronomic and productive heritage. “Our fish is not zero kilometre, it is Italy kilometre. For us, representing the excellence of Made in Italy in the world is a source of great pride. We owe it to our country and, above all,” recall the three brothers Roberto, Rodolfo and Silvio, “to our father, Niccola Rossi, who was able to pass on his strong passion to us. Our grandfather’s stories when we were children, the long days spent in the mountains, at the edge of the tanks, and the conviviality we breathed in those moments: it all comes back to us every time we add a small success to our entrepreneurial history.”
As the fourth generation prepares to join the company, the story of Erede Rossi Silvio continues with the same spirit as always: a unique combination of family tradition, work ethic, technical innovation and respect for the environment. A model that demonstrates how even a small business born in the mountains of the Marche region can become a European leader without losing its authenticity.
For more information, visit www.trote.it
