Tuscany is increasingly confirmed as the land of organic farming. It rises to 37.5 percent of the area cultivated with organic certification in 2023, a value much higher than the Italian average – 19.8 percent – and well above the 25 percent threshold set by the European Union’s Farm to Fork strategy for 2030. Quite an achievement, and so we exchange a pleasant conversation with Stefania Saccardi, Vice-President and Agrifood Councillor of the Tuscany Region, during the Florence Buy Food conference, an event now in its 6th edition.
We ask her about the importance of the territory and its peculiarities.
“I would really observe a beautiful event, capable of presenting to the world and trade networks the various products as well as the excellence of our land. It is no coincidence that we are talking about an area that enjoys a very high number of certified food, presenting itself to buyers who are arriving from all over the world. Consisting of more than 65 companies that produce certified food exporting our excellence, high quality, everywhere, in Europe and outside Europe. And this starting with Tuscan olive oil, ham, finocchiona IGP, and even some lardo di Colonnata, Cantuccini di Prato, and more that testify to its quality and value.”
Definitely an ‘excellent export that also looks toward America. But in which states is there greater appreciation, and again, what do they love most?
“Definitely everywhere in the States, including Canada. As for their tastes, all the food mentioned earlier enjoys excellent identification, followed by a very strong connection with our territories.”
But what in particular do Americans love?
“I would definitely say ham, they really have a gluttony for it, and going back to earlier I consider that overseas is definitely a key market for food and wine, despite–to put it mildly–this period of fatigue in the air.”
Due to what?
“Well … at the time of the Covid since consumers had made a good supply of it, consuming in my view … the stock of the warehouse. In fact, I assume that just that the States had made and pre-established themselves in the uncertainty of the post-pandemic period, however, I am optimistic about it. I really think that the difficulties will soon be smoothed out by virtue of our quality, vis-à-vis the American market, which is always very important to us.”
Other nations also came up during the conference that were definitely ‘desirable’ for our quality.
“That’s right, I agree, for everyone, including buyers. Germany and the U.S. market are at the top, also putting into account that Asia is also growing well. It is no coincidence that the involvement of Asian countries is strengthened with Japan, South Korea and Singapore, which are confirmed as established markets flanked by the strong growth of Taiwan. The European market is also doing well with the Nordic countries most interested in Tuscan products, although the lion’s share is taken by the United States and Germany, which together reach 60 percent of the value of Tuscan “GI” exports. Ah … here, by the way, good surges also continue for pecorino nostrale strictly ‘PDO’, and the white veal of the Central Apennines PGI.”
After all this praise for the good eno-gastronomy that distinguishes the splendid Tuscany for its flavors as well as knowledge, we continue the interview with Stefania Saccardi. Let’s talk now about disasters… asking her, also in the role of Agro-Food Councillor, if due to crazy weather we can, at least in part, curb this phenomenon.
“Certainly it seems clear that as agriculture, we have to deal with climate change. Therefore, we are working so that there is more and more environmentally friendly and compatible agriculture. It is no coincidence that ours is the first region for organic farming. It is a fact that we have reached 37.5 percent of agricultural land devoted to organic farming, dealing of course with precision agriculture. We have made calls on the ‘RDP’ in this regard as well as on the intelligent and rational use of water, which comes in short! And, which, unfortunately, when it does come, it comes all at once with serious rainfall. We also have a working group dealing with water emergency to collect and hoard the meteoric water that follows at different times, trying to respect the environment. This is to cope with what is happening.”
Hoping to be in time! How much blame does man have on such an impact?
“Eh…complicated question; certainly the phenomena we are witnessing should call us to greater responsibility. I don’t think it’s agriculture or animal husbandry that are first in the dock. I would point out how agriculture and animal husbandry, excuse the pun, make use in Tuscany of criteria that are extremely respectful of the environment. We could therefore say of the significant resources we have invested in animal welfare in this legislature by putting 13 million euros. Also in the ‘CSR’ programming we have provided important sums in order to facilitate and support animal husbandry that is less impactful towards the environment and the animal world, with the ultimate goal of reversing that system.”
Eugenio Giani, President of the Tuscany Region, then returned to talk about our agribusiness destined for the transatlantic, noting that this appreciation stems precisely from the fact that Americans are used to seeing the transplantation of our cultures.
“Filippo Mazzei, the writer of the amendment in the U.S. Constitution of 1776, had the estate in Monticello, next to President Jefferson’s: he was already bringing the vines and olive trees of Poggio a Caiano from his homeland in the late 1700s. So there is a well-established structure of agricultural production in the United States that stems from the interconnection that, since the early days of this powerful state, had been created with Tuscany.”
The article Buy Food, international showcase of Made in Tuscany taste comes from TheNewyorker.
