The Hazelnut Sector of the Monti Cimini Agro-Industrial District: Economic Analysis and Development Perspectives

Abstract An analysis of the Italian hazelnut sector, focusing on the Monti Cimini area and its own quality product, with the finalaim to purpose some initiatives to improve the visibility of the Monti Cimini hazelnut and to strengthen growers’ revenues. Keywords: Hazelnut sector, Monti Cimini, agro-industrial district, valorisation and marketing strategies 1. Introduction Italian hazelnuts, especially in their best varieties, represent a quality production worthy to be qualified, adequately protected and presented to consumers. During the twentieth century the Italian hazelnut production has undergone a major transformation, not only because it has increased but also because it has been implanted in the best areas. The specialization of the sector is due to the most accurate cultivation practices, the choice of varieties and the specialized mechanization along with the growth of satellite activities. Hazelnut growing in Italy is very ancient, although the involved areas have always been circumscribed in delimited territories. During the twentieth century,