STRUCTURAL AND PRODUCTIVE FEATURES OF HAZELNUT FARMING SYSTEMS IN ITALY

Italian hazelnut production is concentrated in few restricted areas where represents a considerable component of the local economy.

The lack of strong protectionism measures implemented by the European Union for this product makes incomes coming from hazelnuts production activities strictly correlated to the competitiveness standard of each local productive system.

The paper focuses on the structural and productive features of hazelnut farming systems located in three major Italian hazelnut zones (Viterbo, Cuneo and Avellino Provinces). The objective is the identification of strength and weakness of each local hazelnut system.

Structural and economics indexes have been used to describe and analyse different typologies of hazelnut farming systems.

The comparison of competitiveness level in areas examined has emphasised relevant structural differences likely to induce a different spatial impact of fluctuations in hazelnut world price.