Page 27 - Investing in Bergamo EN

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AGRICULTURE AND AGRIBUSINESS

For many decades, the manufacturing economy has side-lined agricultural activities,
especially those in mountain areas, because they were not very profitable. This plain
failed to express its full potential because it lost the competition on uses of the soil.
The primary sector currently accounts for less than 2% of the value added and the
agricultural area that is actually used by the nearly 6,500 companies is 71 thousand
hectares: 54% in the plain, a third in the mountain area and 10% in the hills. Cattle
production predominates in the livestock sector with 2,700 cattle breeders. Milk
production is 3.6 million tonnes, while beef cattle is over 20 thousand; there are 1,500
other types of livestock farms with 350 thousand heads, of which nearly 300 thousand
pigs.
The agricultural sector of Bergamo employs about 10 thousand people on a full time
basis.
Although the area occupied by agriculture in Bergamo is still shrinking, the quality is
growing. Bergamo holds the national record for the number of PDO products: nine
cheeses, one oil product, two wines and a DOCG product (Moscato di Scanzo). Over 30
traditional productions are recognised by the EU.
Agri-tourism and educational farms have become an opportunity for agriculture, with
144 companies operating in Bergamo. Another 205 companies specialise in the more
profitable production of organic food, while products of certified origin and “zero
kilometre” consumption are spreading.
Confindustria Bergamo – along with the Local Health Authority, Province, Provincial
Joint Body for Job Security and Move Europe – has joined the “Workplace Health
Promotion” network to provide support to companies looking to invest in the health and
welfare of personnel; numerous companies have already joined this initiative, which will
also be presented at the EXPO as part of the “feeding the future, now” project.
Agriculture has a very close relationship with industry. One of the largest companies
in Bergamo produces agricultural machinery; agricultural chemicals are a local
specialisation, as is the production of animal feed. Finally, the supply chains of milk,
meat and more generally, food have important manufacturing hubs, often controlled
by global companies, such as the French-owned Lactalis and Bonduelle, respectively
manufacturers of milk and vegetable products. Nestlè purchased San Pellegrino, a
historical producer of beverages, and one of the most famous brands in Italy.
The agri-business sector consists of 1,000 companies and employs over 10
thousand people, to which must be added the many small and medium sized businesses
that design and build equipment for food storage and packaging.