Food packing (or “imballaggio alimentary” in Italian) jobs involve tasks like sorting, packaging, labeling, and quality-checking food products such as fruits, meats, cheeses, pasta, and ready meals. These roles are common in Italy’s robust agricultural and food processing sectors, particularly in regions like Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, and Sicily. Many are seasonal (e.g., fruit harvesting from spring to fall), but year-round opportunities exist in factories and warehouses. Entry-level positions often require no prior experience, just physical fitness and attention to detail. Italy’s Decreto Flussi program allows visa sponsorship for non-EU workers in agriculture and food processing, making these accessible for foreigners.
Demand is high due to Italy’s €200+ billion food industry, with over 450 job listings for “imballaggio alimentare” on platforms like Indeed and Jobbydoo as of late 2025. Salaries typically range from €900–€1,200/month for unskilled roles (€8–€12/hour), rising to €1,500+ for skilled operators. Benefits may include free housing, meals, and transport for seasonal work.
Key Job Types and Requirements
| Job Type | Description | Typical Requirements | Salary Range (Monthly) | Common Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Packer/Confezionatore | Manual or machine-assisted packing of products like pasta, sauces, or frozen foods; includes vacuum-sealing and labeling. | No experience needed; basic hygiene certification (e.g., HACCP). Physical stamina for standing shifts. | €900–€1,100 | Milan, Bologna, Parma (industrial hubs) |
| Fruit/Vegetable Picker & Packer | Harvesting and sorting fresh produce (e.g., olives, grapes, strawberries); seasonal outdoor work. | No formal quals; visa sponsorship common under Decreto Flussi. Good health for manual labor. | €900–€1,200 (incl. piece-rate bonuses) | Sicily, Tuscany, Veneto (farms/orchards) |
| Production Operator | Operating packaging machines for meats, dairy, or canned goods; quality control and cleaning. | 1–2 years experience preferred; machine training provided. Italian/English helpful. | €1,100–€1,500 | Udine, Modena, Savigliano (food factories) |
| Warehouse Packer | Preparing shipments of packaged foods; inventory and forklift use. | Forklift license a plus; team-oriented. | €1,000–€1,300 | Nationwide warehouses (e.g., near ports in Genoa) |
Shifts are often 8–12 hours, including nights/weekends, with contracts from 3–12 months. EU citizens apply directly; non-EU need a job offer for visa sponsorship.
How to Apply
- Job Portals:
- Italian Sites: Indeed.it (55+ listings for “imballaggio alimentare”), Jobbydoo.it (451 offers), Randstad.it (focus on temp roles).
- International: Glassdoor.com (152 food packaging jobs), LinkedIn (262 in Lombardy alone), ZipRecruiter.com (94 Italy packaging roles).
- Seasonal/Agriculture: SeasonalWorkVisa.com or NewsNowGH.com for visa-sponsored fruit jobs.
- Companies Hiring:
- Prima Foods Italy: Unskilled roles like food packer with visa support; apply at primafoods.ltd. Testimonials highlight smooth visa processes and free accommodation.
- Postumia: Packaging technologist and food experts in Carmignano di Brenta; postumia.it/en/work-with-us.
- Maw Men At Work: Operai for meat processing in Savigliano; via jobbydoo.it.
- Synergie Italia: Confezionamento roles in Modena; synergie-italia.it.
- Gesfor Agenzia: Imballaggio/magazzino in wholesale food; gesfor.it.
- Visa Tips: For non-EU, target Decreto Flussi quotas (opens annually; check esteri.it). Agencies like Schengen.Work offer packing jobs for sweets/chocolate with sponsorship. Prepare CV in Italian/English, highlighting any manual labor experience.
Recent Buzz on X (Twitter)
Recent posts highlight opportunities for foreigners:
- Users discuss visa-sponsored unskilled jobs (e.g., food packaging) in Italy alongside countries like Luxembourg, with cheap visa fees.
- Hospitality firms like Mojzesz Group advertise food packing roles in Italy/Malta with roles up to chef level.
For real-time updates, search “lavori imballaggio alimentare Italia” on X. Start applying via the portals above—many roles fill quickly for 2026 seasons!