Beer, the first 100% Sardinian-made supply chain is born

The first Sardinian beer supply chain is born. The starting point was the signing of an agreement between representatives of20 Sardinian craft breweries belonging to the Italian craft beer consortium, hop producers and the Isola Sarda Cooperative, which has long been operating and bringing together regional grain producers.

"A unique example in Italy of how even in the brewing and cereal sector - the promoters emphasise - it is possible to create a regional supply chain that unites producers, processors and companies that aim to support a sector with ever-growing numbers. A pilot project promoted and strongly supported by Coldiretti with the Consorzio Birra italiana that has been working for some time to unite producers and support the two supply chains'.

The challenge began in 2023 with the cultivation of 60 hectares, the fruits of which were harvested this past summer, "with promising results despite the fires and drought".
The farmers' cooperative, together with the supply chain consortium, provided local growers with seeds of the same variety and continuous agronomic assistance, ensuring a controlled and optimised production cycle.

"The harvested barley," Coldiretti representatives point out, "is delivered to the cooperative, which takes care of its cleaning and grading before sending it to the malting plant. Once processed, the malt is returned and stored, ready to be used by the breweries'. This process guarantees farmers 'a higher remuneration compared to the prices on the Bologna Commodity Exchange, while the breweries are able to reduce the transport costs of the raw material, which is always available locally'.

The next steps of the project include more training for local farmers to deal with the agronomic challenges of barley cultivation and the expansion of cultivated areas, with the aim of increasing malt production to meet the growing demand of breweries. But they are also thinking about the creation of Sardinian Beer Routes, as a boost for the promotion of beer tourism.
"With this initiative, Sardinia positions itself as a vanguard in the national brewing sector, creating a supply chain model that not only enhances local products," Coldiretti concludes, "but also strengthens the agricultural economy and reduces environmental impact, confirming the centrality of sustainability and collaboration between producers and processors.