Pomodoro San Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese-Nocerino PDO is produced using only tomatoes from the vines of S. Marzano 2 and KIROS varieties or their improved strains produced in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino region as raw materials. Tomatoes are hand picked and processed in facilities located in the same region. October usually takes place in the first half of April, but can extend into the first 10 days of May.

San Marzano tomatoes are specially grown in irrigated lowland areas of volcanic origin, which, due to both the physico-chemical properties of the volcanic materials and the presence of sufficient organic matter, tend to be uniform and naturally fertile, which characterizes its high fertility. A typical feature of San Marzano tomato cultivation is the vertical growth of plants due to the placement of posts and steel wires. This cultivation method makes a great contribution to obtaining high quality production as the fruits do not come into contact with the soil and remain intact. Also, harvesting takes place entirely by hand, gradually, when the fruits reach full maturity. Average yields are around 60-80 tonnes per hectare and processed product yields reach high levels, normally over 70%. The processing of fresh tomatoes into processed "peeled tomatoes" is done in canning factories located in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino region.

The soil resulting from the eruptions of the Somma-Vesuvius and surrounding Subappennine formations in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino region has physico-chemical properties that make it classifiable as one of the best soils in Italy. The "San Marzano Tomato" originates in this region and is most commonly grown on small farms and in the same environment where it was traditionally processed as "peeled tomatoes".

Geographical Region: To qualify for the Pomodoro S. Marzano dell'Agro Sarnese-Nocerino' PDO, tomatoes must be produced by agricultural holdings and processed by industrial operators in the following municipal areas:

State of Salerno: Municipalities fully covered: S. Marzano sul Sarno, S. Valentino Torio, Scafati. Partially covered municipalities: Baronissi, Fisciano, Mercato S. Severino, Castel San Giorgio, Siano, Roccapiemonte, Nocera Superiore, Nocera Inferiore, Sarno, Pagani, Angri, Egidio Monte Albino

State of Avellino: Partially covered municipalities: Montoro Superiore, Montoro Inferiore.

Province of Naples: Fully covered municipalities: S. Antonio Abate, Pompei, S. Maria La Carità, Striano, Boscoreale, Poggiomarino. Partially covered municipalities: Gragnano; Castellammare di Stabia, Acerra, Afragola, Brusciano, Caivano, Camposano, Casalnuovo, Castelcisterna, Cicciano, Cimitile, Mariglianella, Marigliano, Nola, Palma Campania, Pomigliano, Scisciano, S. Vitaliano

All the municipalities mentioned are included in the Agro Sarnese-Nocerino region and neighboring regions and grow tomatoes on irrigated or irrigated arable land in their plains. Of course, since the slope areas are not irrigated, they are excluded.