At the heart of the Italian PDO economy lies a player that has been supporting supply chains, regions, and businesses in building trust for over thirty years: CSQA , a publicly controlled certification body that today represents one of the strongest pillars of the national agri-food system. Leading the organization is Maria Chiara Ferrarese , general manager and CEO, who starts from a factor she calls "genetic": the presence of a public administration as a majority shareholder.
An element that gives the company a precise mission : to promote products and producers that represent Made in Italy and the territories from which they originate. Ferrarese recalls that CSQA was born when "no one certified agri-food products" and when the very idea of quality, in food, was considered almost superfluous.
Focusing on certification, instead of consulting, was a visionary gamble taken by current President Pietro Bonato , and a decisive one today: "Being a system player means taking on a great responsibility. The world expects us not only to guarantee compliance, but also to innovate, anticipate, and improve." This approach has made CSQA a partner perceived as competent, independent, and capable of operating as an industry infrastructure.
When it comes to PDO and PGI products , Italy remains a giant: the ISMEA – Qualivita Report reports almost 900 registered products , a production value of 21 billion , and approximately 900,000 employees involved in the supply chains.
"Geographical Indications aren't just a brand: they're an economic model and, at the same time, an exportable snapshot of our country," observes Ferrarese, emphasizing how their weight— 19 percent of the total value of agri-food production —generates direct benefits for local areas, communities, employment, and tourism.
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Source: The Reformist