SWG Agro - Food Presentation of Italy and cluster-activities PP2 Emilia Romagna Region Elahe Rezaian Sofia, November 25th, 2010

The Agro-Food cluster in Emilia Romagna is known as a Leader on an international level not only for combining tradition and innovation but also for achieving high standards of food quality and safety. The agro-food cluster involved in primary activities, food processing and even engineering and service sectors, and value chains both in the animal and vegetable areas.

THE MAIN SECTORS IN THE FOOD CLUSTER Animal production 1. Meat 2. Dairy products 3. Seafood Vegetable production1. Fruit and vegetable 2. Preserves 3. Pasta and biscuits 4. Coffee and beverages 5. Wine Engineering1. Agricultural machinery 2. Food processing equip. (meat, milk, wine, ….) 3. Food packaging equip. 4. Specialising logistics

Research laboratories in the Regional High Technology Network are organized in an themed Platform (the group of research Labs specializing in agro-food issues) and work on the quality and safety of raw materials, processing, equipment, machinery and finished products, health issues and on the enhancement and development of traditional products. Among the production of vegetables the highest figures are of cereals, potatoes, vegetables, pears, tomatoes, nectarines and wine. With animal production, cow milk, poultry, pork and beef products.

In our Region there are 32 PDO (Protected Domination of Origin and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) certified products, of which the most important are: Parmiggiano Reggiano (Parmesan Cheese), Prosciutto di Parma (Parma ham) and Aceto balsamico di Modena (Balsamic vinegar from Modena). Local specialization: The agro-food cluster as a whole is quite evenly spread all over the region and the highest concentrations of numbers employed are in the provinces. Cooperative also play an important role in the development of this cluster in our region.

Exports: In 2008 exports from the agro-food cluster in our region amounted to around 5.3 billion euro, 17.3% of the national total. The various agro-food sectors represent 10.7% of total exports of Emilia Romagna. Where we export: EU 27: 71.1% Central-South America: 2.3% Other EU countries: 8.0% Middle East: 1.3% North America: 8.5% North Africa: 1.4% Asia – Far East: 3.7% Central Asia: 0.3%

International Trade Fairs : CIBUS, international food industry fair EIMA, international showcase of Agricultural Machinery MACFRUT, international exhibition of plants, technologies and services for the production R2B-Research To Business, international expoforum on industrial innovation The EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, has its headquarter in Parma.

Top enterprises : Dairy products: Granarolo, Parmalat, Consorzio Parmigiano Reggiano Meat: Cremonini, Consorzio Prosciutto di Parma, Amadori Pasta and biscuits: Barilla Vegetables: Orogel, Valfrutta, Canteen and catering services: CAMST, MARR Wine: Cantine Riunite, CAVIRO Feed for breeding: Progeo Coffee: Segafredo Agricultural Machinery: Landini, Goldoni, Celli, Gallignani Manufacturing of food packaging and measuring machinery: Sidal, Marchesi, OCME, IMA, Carpigiani

What to transfer from the cluster experience: -The model of the co-operative firm; -Protection Consortium for quality and production enhancement; -Service centre to support innovation; -Trade and logistic infrastructure; -Research labs; -Engineering expertise.

Expectations of our cluster members consist of setting up the relationship at the institutional and business level with the partners’ cluster. The successful results depend on how we want to plan WP4 activities and what opportunity we basically offer to the clusters and what their interests are.

Many thanks for your kind attention! Elahe Rezaian