Research by data firm Istat has revealed that Italy has more Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), and Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG) certified food products than any other EU country, having ended 2014 with 269 – eight more than in 2013.
The sectors with the highest number of these certifications are Fruit, Vegetables and Cereals with 103, Cheeses with 49, Extra Virgin Olive Oils with 43, and Prepared Meats with 38. Fresh Meat and other sectors have a total of 5 and 32 certified products respectively.
The regions with the highest number of PDO and PGI products were Emilia-Romagna with 42 procuts and Veneto with 36.
Istat also found that the production and processing of EU certified products play a significant role in the economic development of Italy’s rural, mountainous regions.
It noted, "Quality products contribute to promoting development in the mountainous areas of the country: 28.2 per cent of producers were located in the mountains, against 17 per cent of mountain farms recorded by the 2010 Agricultural Survey."
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
