Farming for tomorrow
South Tyrol blends Alpine tradition with food-tech innovation to cultivate a smarter, sustainable future.
When you find yourself washing down slices of Speck and Graukäse from Ahrntal Valley with a glass of Gewürztraminer, spare a thought for the countless farmers and smallholders who prop up a large portion of the region’s economy. Agriculture has influenced the way of life in South Tyrol for more than a millennium. Farming has come to shape the local culture with monastic and Alpine communities cultivating grains, grapes and apples since the early Middle Ages. Agriculture continues to dominate the local economy with about 16,500 farms engaged in growing, rearing and distribution for domestic and global consumption.
A source of pride for locals, the province is one of the largest apple cultivators in Europe and generates 10 per cent of all continental apple production – something only possible due to heavy investment in technological advance. The food-tech sector combines centuries of Alpine tradition with cutting-edge research in sustainability, nutrition and agricultural innovation.
Companies such as Iprona and the accelerator Foodseed are involved in developing activities, including plant-based food alternatives, precision agriculture tools, smart packaging and advanced food products.
These collaborations between universities, farmers and tech firms drive competition in quality, traceability and circular food systems across the region.
