Sardinia and its food and agri-food companies are proudly celebrating UNESCO's recognition of Italian cuisine as a "foundational heritage for living well, healthily, with taste and imagination."

Giacomo Meloni, President of Confartigianato Imprese Sardegna , states this, underlining how the Island, with its hundreds of
products and with the thousands of productive activities and workers, «has contributed to this success».

The data says it all: Sardinia accounts for 2.7% of quality food products recognized by the European Union through the DOC (Protected Designation of Origin), PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), and TSG labels. The list includes nine: Sardinian lamb, Sardinian spiny artichoke, Ogliastra culurgionis, Fiore Sardo, Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Sardo, Sardinian olive oil, Sardinian saffron, and Sebadas.
Furthermore, the richness of the Sardinian territory is also expressed in 274 traditional agri-food products (PAT), 4.8% of the entire heritage
Italian, characterized by processing, conservation and
seasoning consolidated over time: 100 fresh pasta and bakery, 68
vegetable products, 20 meats, 21 cheeses, 21 products
gastronomy, 20 products of animal origin, 15 fish and molluscs, 7
drinks and spirits, 1 fats and 1 condiments.
According to the Confartigianato report, the island has the highest national number of DOP, IGP, and TSG certified agri-food operators: 15,440, 19% of the Italian total.

"We're talking," Meloni explains, "primarily about primary producers—nurseries, farms, and livestock farms—who supply their raw materials to thousands of small businesses, especially artisanal ones, such as pasta factories, rice mills, mills, oil mills, dairies, preserves and jam producers, honey producers, processors of preserved foods and packaged vegetables, ready-made meals, wineries, breweries, and cured meat producers , who in turn transform them into excellent European-certified products."
At a territorial level 588 artisan businesses operate in Cagliari with
2,188 employees, 544 in Nuoro with 1,865 workers, 271 in Oristano with
798 workers, 879 in Sassari-Gallura with 3,089 employees and 634 in
Southern Sardinia with 2,100 employees.
«This is a sector in full growth and evolution – he continues
the president of Confartigianato Imprese Sardegna - who increasingly
responds to the needs of a clientele that over the years has
modified and refined their tastes and eating habits. And it is thanks to
of these "food artisans" if our products are so popular
even abroad, – adds Meloni – an economic and
cultural tradition that must be constantly defended and promoted."
«Despite all this success, the agri-food sector of
our region faces significant challenges - continues Meloni -
increasing globalization of markets, food counterfeiting,
increasingly stringent regulations on food safety
and consumer expectations in terms of sustainability
require our companies to continuously update and
innovation".

Among the main trends in the sector - continues Meloni -
there is growing attention to product traceability, which
becomes a determining factor in ensuring the trust of the
consumers. Digitalization is also revolutionizing the sector,
enabling companies to improve production efficiency and
access new markets. Finally, sustainability is no longer a
choice, but a necessity: companies that adopt and communicate
properly sustainable practices not only improve their own
reputation, but they have access to premium markets and economic incentives."
Finally, the future of Sardinian artisan agri-food: «The future of the sector
Sardinia's agri-food sector is based on a strategic balance between
tradition and innovation. While on the one hand it is essential to preserve the
unique and artisanal characteristics of local products, on the other hand it is
equally important to invest in new technologies and approaches
sustainable. Our Organization aims to promote a model of
development that enhances the peculiarities of the regional territory,
Strengthening the competitiveness of companies globally. The challenge – Meloni concludes – is ambitious, but with the support of local institutions and the commitment of entrepreneurs, the Sardinian agri-food sector will continue to
to be a fundamental pillar of the Italian economy and culture."

(Unioneonline/lf)

© Riproduzione riservata