RRO will import and sell the pasta and sauce initially in metropolitan cities of Mumbai, New Delhi, Calcutta, Bangalore and Chennai, and then launch the products in mini metros over the next few months, RRO managing director Riyad Oomerbhoy said here at a press conference.

The Mumbai-based company has launched ten types of Barilla pasta and four types of sauces. Targeted primarily at young couples and double income families, the pasta products are priced between Rs 60 and Rs 150 for 500 gm packs while the sauces are priced upwards of Rs 175. The range would be expanded to include more products later. RRO will also bring in Barilla's top-of-the-line bakery products such as cookies and biscuits next March.

The $2.2-billion Barilla Group is Italy's largest producer of pasta and pasta sauces. Oomberbhoy proposes to make the products available across a cross section of groceries and department stores in the select cities. "We like to put Barilla in all stores stocking vermicelli brands such as Bambino." He added that the company would embark on a taste developing exercise and brand promotion once rollout in mini-metros is complete. RRO is planning initiatives like cooking demonstrations and recipe booklets.

In addition, POS material which would give tips on cooking pasta and the benefits of consuming pasta products is also being designed. RRO expects to sell 1,000-1,500 tonne of pasta in India and Nepal by end of the second year.