The entire Italian territory excels primarily by its agriculture, which is closely linked to the Mediterranean and Italian diet. This sector includes vegetables, fruit and cereals which play an important role not only in the national agricultural sector, but in the european and even worldwide.

In italy the total area for agriculture measures 17.8 million hectares, of which 12.9 is currently used. About 60 billion euros per year are generated by agriculture, fishing and forestry and 29 billion from agriculture alone.

South Tyrol, one of the the northernmost regions of the country, consists of about 94% mountain area, which offer rather difficult conditions for agricultural land use. [Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano - Alto Adige Ripartizione Agricoltura,“Punti di svantaggio nell‘agricoltura di montagna”]

Despite this, there is a deep connection between the population and its soil: Over 210.000 hectares are used by various agricultural sectors (agrable land 90%, orchards 7% and vineyards 2%) and it provides an annual turnover of about 909 million euros.[Agrar- und Forstbericht 2018; Autonome Provinz Bozen - Südtriol]

Agriculture in South Tyrol is rooted in tradition going back centuries and still enjoys a comparatively high status. Although the number of persons employed in this sector has declined over the recent years, the importance of agriculture has stabilised, due to among other things subsidy policies. Agriculture is also important for other sectors of the economy. For example two-thirds of the farmers also derive income from other sources, and are consequently economically active in other sectors of the economy. Furthermore, agriculture plays a significant role in landscape conservation. And as a source of typical regional food, agriculture also remains important for tourism.

A brief history of agriculture in South Tyrol

The South Tyrolean agricultural sector includes 20.856 small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises (2007), mostly family-run. Of these companies, about 60% of the farms measure less than 5 hectars.

The 19 000 ha of apple fields in South Tyrol supplies up to 40% of the national Italian, 10% of the European and 2% of the global apple market.

The "Labor market report" in the province of Bolzano showed that agricultural workers in 2019 reached 13.484 workers (9317 men and 4167 women). Within the year, however, this number fluctuates strongly. If in the months between November and July there are only about 6,000 workers, during the apple harvest (August - October) this number rises to an average of 16.396, at its peak evenup to 20.000 workers. So, although the area dedicated to agriculture is relatively limited compared to the total area (7,400 km²), job offers in this section are considerable high. However, Italian employees represent only 12% while the rest are migrant workers mainly from different countries within Eastern Europe, with an average age of 30-39 years (36%)

Grey is the new black

The “grey zone” is a term used to define all the hundreds and thousands of semi legal and exploited seasonal workers, especially in the north of the nation. The main problem is, that only a small part of the working time is declared compared to the actual occupation carried out by the workers. The real time of work declared is incomplete and therefore not guaranteeing the complete protection of the worker and the payment of contributions

According to ISTAT data, since 2008 the rate of irregular workers in agriculture in Trentino-Alto Adige has been the lowest nationwide with around 14%. However, whereas the south of Italy is characterized by undeclared work caused by needs, in the northern part it is referenced that undeclared work is happening for gaining profit. Generally northern farmers do it for reasons of economic convenience, to reduce taxes by finding an agreement between employer and worker. Migrant workers work per season on average 31.3 days depending on the location of the terrain, regardless of whether they are in a mountain area or in the valley.

The other reality, which nobody wants to see

The suppliance with locally produced food is social and economic reality that would disappear without the presence of foreign workers. Products not only of this region, but from the whole of Italy would have strong difficulties in arriving on our dining tables. It is therefore not just work but a relationship built on need and trust between the farmers and foreign employees.