The spread of the COVID-19 virus in Italy during the first phasis of the pandemic (February-May 2020) has caused a large-scale crisis, with an almost immediate decrease of industrial production and a consequent contraction in domestic consumption and external trade. However, the issue of food security was immediately recognized as one of the most sensitive, so that the Government has decreed the priority role of the food system, which has been included among those considered fundamental services and economically essential, allowing the related activities to be carried out during the lockdown. Agricultural production activities transformation, and commercialization remained fully operative during the lockdown; nevertheless, the sector has faced many difficulties related to the contraction of some of the marketing channels (restaurants, on farm sales, agritourism, problems with the logistics and many other ones). To better understand the effects of the initial phasis of the pandemic on the Italian agricultural sector and provide useful information to the government and decision makers, a survey was carried out with a CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interviewing) sent to over 10,000 farmers belonging to the sample of the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). The number of respondents has been of 733 farms, which represents around 7% of the Italian FADN sample. The results of the questionnaire have been matched with FADN data on the structure and the economic performance of farms, allowing a more precise evaluation of the condition and effects of the pandemic. The results highlight a relevant effect of the COVID-19 pandemic emergency on the agricultural sector: 37% of the interviewed farmers declared a significant liquidity crisis, while 60% predicted a contraction in turnover. These effects are more relevant for the wine, olives, and horticulture types of farming and more frequent in medium/large farms. A better situation has been found for farms which usually outsource processing and/or marketing/sale of the products.

The Integrated Supply Chain Projects (ISCP) are promoted under the framework of Rural Development Programs (RDPs). Considering the scarce literature on ISCP, the case of Tuscany, one of the Italian regions that has implemented ISCPs most aggressively, was analyzed. The aim of this work is to give evidence of the potential positive effects of ISCPs for the agricultural sector by considering the differences between ISCP beneficiaries (treated) and non-ISCP farms (non-treated). The materials used for the analysis are twofold: the Italian Rural Network database and the Italian Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) dataset. The analysis is based on a three-year period (2018–2020). The sample consists of 1693 farms, outliers excluded. The treated farms included in the FADN sample total 134. The variables used are both structural and economic. The statistical analysis carried out compares treated and non-treated farms using the Welch-t-test. The results show that some key variables are significant (area; labour; revenues and costs). In general, the treated farms are more likely to improve their production process through EU funding and through new investments. In conclusion, the ISCP could be a good opportunity to support the sector. This work suggests that beneficiaries could achieve higher economic performance, especially when carrying out diversified activities.

The Honey Cost project, conceived and developed by the CREA Policies and Bioeconomics research center (CREA PB), will develop a methodology and tools for ad hoc data collection and evaluation of the bee and honey sector and sets up a sample survey on it. The determination of the cost of honey production is carried out through a questionnaire, submitted to a sample of 434 farms with an economic size of at least EUR 8,000 of Standard Output. In the methodology adopted, three cost levels are envisaged, with the first level referring only to current expenses, the second level adding other general expenses, and, finally, the third level also adding the cost of family labor. The first survey, carried out in 2023, covered the two-year period of 2021–2022. It emerged that among the variable costs, those incurred for packaging and marketing represent, in percentage, the most important item, followed by nutrition costs, and their incidence varies depending on the farm type and on the economic size. Even among the components of general costs (depreciation and other non-direct expenses), a strong variability was found, and this attenuates when moving from small to large farms. The total production cost stands, as a sample average, at around EUR 9 per kilogram of honey produced. For many farms, this value is well above the price that is recognized by the market for their product.

The beekeeping sector plays a strategic role in conserving biodiversity and ecosystems while contributing to honey and other hive products production. This study aims to identify a method for calculating honey production costs and assessing the economic sustainability of beekeeping enterprises. An innovative aspect of the proposed analysis is the testing of a production cost determination method applied to the beekeeping sector based on national statistical representativeness. The Honey Cost project developed by CREA–Research Centre for Agricultural Policies and Bioeconomy–aims to estimate honey production costs through a survey conducted via a questionnaire on a representative sample of 434 Italian professional beekeeping farms. The survey covers the 2023–2024 accounting years and provides evidence on cost structure and the main variables influencing production costs. The results reveal disparities between nomadic and stationary beekeeping farms, as well as between small-to-medium and large enterprises. Average honey production cost ranges from approximately EUR 9–15 per kilogram, often exceeding selling prices, particularly for small-to-medium-sized farms. Nomadic farms show greater economic efficiency and productivity than stationary ones, while large enterprises benefit from economies of scale and lower unit costs. These findings are useful both for beekeepers, to support them in adjusting production and business strategies, and for policy makers to better target actions and financial support for the sector.