Record recovery for Emilia-Romagna's agro-industry

It is Parmigiano Reggiano, fruit, and exports that are driving the recovery of Emilia-Romagna's agro-food industry, which in 2024 posted the best result in its recent history, exceeding 6 billion euro in agricultural production, up 13% compared to the previous year. A record recovery - the one photographed in the 2024 Report by the Emilia-Romagna Region and Unioncamere, presented in Bologna - that comes after a 2023 marked by frosts and floods and confirms the resilience of a strategic sector not only for its direct economic impact but also for the protection of fragile territories. Driving the rebound was above all the increase in volumes in fruit crops (+57%), the good performance of wine (+7.4%), and the growth of cow's milk (+19.3%), which compensated for the drop in pork and poultry meat. The vegetable sector posted an overall +18% (cereals, however, declined, -8.5%), and livestock a +8.4%. "The agri-food sector has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for resilience," emphasised Region President Michele de Pascale and Councillor Alessio Mammi, "We have reacted to the crises with real investments: 106 million allocated in 2024, including subsidised credit, innovation, modernisation and responses to emergencies. To these resources are added 635 million in CAP funds, 277 million of which in direct payments. The trade balance performance is excellent: for every 100 euros imported, 118 are exported. Agrifood exports exceed 10.5 billion (+7.6%), in contrast with the -2% of overall regional exports. Parma remains the province with the highest exported value (over 3 billion), Reggio Emilia has the highest growth rate (+15%). Among the most exported products: processed meats (ham first and foremost), dairy products (Parmigiano Reggiano) and baked goods. "The same companies that had to face an unimaginable 2023, have, in just twelve months, increased production by +13%, exports by +7.6%, and employment by 3.8%," points out Unioncamere President Valerio Veronesi. "Behind these numbers there is no rhetoric, but companies that make difficult choices every day, and they must be given the chance to continue investing, to face increasingly uncertain scenarios. There are 129,000 people employed in the sector, an increase of 3.8% in agriculture and 2.3% in the food industry. Agricultural credit declines slightly (-2.6%) but remains high quality (only 1.8% in non-performing loans, better than the national average). Multifunctionality is also growing: +1.6% agritourisms and +19% wine tourism companies.