Mantua’s Olive Oil Growth: From 3 Hectares to 10 Amid Regulatory Hurdles
Oil production in the province of Mantua is concentrated on the morainic hills, and according to data from the Camera di Commercio (Chamber of Commerce), it covers an area of about 3 hectares.
Four registered companies produce Olio Dop (Protected Designation of Origin, according to a regulation by the Ministry from September 1998) from Garda Orientale: Gianantonio Botturi in Cavriana, Corte Casevecchie di Ferdinando Ferri in Monzambano, Rosanna Fizzotti in Ponti s/Mincio, and Corte Bella Idea by Maria Orazia Mascagna in Solferino.
Visiting the hills, it is not difficult to see plots where, in recent years, new olive groves have been planted. The official data – clarifies Marco Boschetti, head of Turismo Verde for the Cia di Mantova – do not reflect the significant increase in olive grove planting that has occurred in recent years in the Alto Mantovano area.
The new companies faced bureaucratic difficulties in registration, which have now been resolved. In the upcoming months, the Chamber of Commerce data will begin to reflect a reality that, compared to the official figures indicating about 3 hectares of olive grove land, actually involves around 10 hectares cultivated, with a production of about 7,000 liters of oil.
Some companies have requested permission to build mills, but urban planning and bureaucratic obstacles have halted these developments. This issue needs to be addressed: direct processing ensures a better product and aligns with the trend of purchasing oil directly from the field.
Currently, processing is carried out in facilities that operate on behalf of third parties. There is a beautiful book, “Dialoghi agrari” – continues Marco Boschetti – which the Comune di Cavriana reissued a few years ago.
The report of an Austro-Hungarian Empire inspector
This is the report of an inspector from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, concerning the agricultural landscape and productions of the upper Mantovano, characterized by olive trees and almond groves.
It is interesting to see how community interventions are oriented toward a recovery of the territory’s historical vocation: space for reforestation, olive trees, and specialized productions.
Even for the famous almonds of Cavriana, a historically high-quality product, wiped out by Turkish competition, there is a strong will to prevent the extinction of the remaining few trees.
