Subscribe
The inauguration of the second edition of Risò — the International Rice Festival —held on September 11, 2026, at the Abbey of Sant’Andrea in Vercelli and attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, provided an opportunity to reflect on the economic, social, cultural, and strategic role of Italian rice farming. Rice is presented not merely as a flagship product of the national agri-food sector, but also as a commodity embedded in a complex network of European and international commercial and institutional relationships. Recognized by the government as a premier national event dedicated to promoting the agri-food industry, the festival serves a purpose that goes beyond the simple celebration of a product. Italy is the leading European rice producer, with annual exports worth at over 800 million euros. Domestic production is concentrated primarily in the Piedmont and Lombardy regions—an area that, as the Prime Minister noted in her speech, accounts for roughly one-quarter of the continent’s total output. Italy’s significance must be viewed within a broader EU context: European rice cultivation is concentrated in a limited number of member states, and Italy stands as one of the Union’s key production hubs. Beyond its production volume, the sector is defined by a commitment to quality assurance; indeed, Italy boasts the only European Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for rice. More broadly, the system of designations and geographical indications is a key tool used by the European Union to safeguard agricultural products linked to specific regions, thereby linking territorial identity, economic value, and international recognition.
PROMOTING “MADE IN ITALY” IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS
Rice is thus viewed as a true national asset, symbolically described as the region’s “white gold.” However, its centuries-old history should not be viewed merely as a legacy of the past. According to Prime Minister Meloni, the institutions also have a responsibility to guide this tradition into the future, fostering awareness and appreciation of it both domestically and abroad. This context explains the Government’s decision to support Risò from the outset and to include it in the national calendar of major events dedicated to promoting the agri-food sector. The international festival is thus conceived as a tool for economic policy and trade promotion: it serves to showcase the work of producers, boost the product’s visibility in foreign markets, and create a forum for discussing issues affecting the entire supply chain. The rice supply chain is described as a flagship sector of “Made in Italy,” characterized by modernization, integration, and the ability to compete internationally—primarily through quality. This approach aligns with the broader positioning of Italian agriculture within the European system, where the Common Agricultural Policy aims to strengthen competitiveness, sustainability, farmers’ incomes, and product quality.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE, STANDARDS, AND COMPETITION
Prime Minister Meloni highlighted the relationship between trade openness and the protection of production standards. While international competitiveness is viewed as an essential characteristic of the Italian supply chain, there is a simultaneous need to shield producers from competition originating in countries that do not apply equivalent labor, environmental, and social standards. This issue is particularly significant in the context of free trade agreements. Her remarks also touched upon the prospect of agreements with Southeast Asian nations, arguing that market opening must be accompanied by comparable competitive conditions. This issue is exemplified by the use of pesticides that are banned in the European Union but authorized elsewhere in the world; the potential entry into the European market of products treated with such substances is framed as a matter of regulatory consistency and the protection of European producers. EU regulations on the rice trade demonstrate how imports, tariff quotas, and market access conditions are governed by a complex system of Union rules—developed partly in response to commitments made within the World Trade Organization. The position articulated by Giorgia Meloni identifies a fundamental principle: rather than lowering domestic standards to match those of international competitors, the goal is to ensure that trade openness does not disadvantage those who produce in compliance with higher requirements. From this perspective, Italy’s competitive advantage lies in quality rather than quantity.
THE CAP AND EUROPEAN STRATEGIC AUTONOMY
The European dimension figures prominently in references to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Speaking from the podium, the Prime Minister recalled the debate over the future EU budget and the European Commission’s initial proposal to cut CAP funding, noting that Italy’s efforts had helped restore the relevant financial allocations. The core of the position expressed is that the European goal of boosting competitiveness should not be viewed as an alternative to agricultural policy. On the contrary, agriculture and competitiveness are presented as complementary elements. Indeed, agriculture is a component of Europe’s and Italy’s capacity to compete internationally while simultaneously playing a strategic role in food security. The current Italian CAP Strategic Plan—approved by the European Commission and covering the 2023–2027 period—includes objectives regarding the competitiveness and sustainability of Italian agriculture. In this context, agriculture is also linked to the concept of strategic autonomy: in a period marked by international vulnerabilities, the availability of food and the capacity to produce it are seen as elements that should not rely excessively on external sources. Safeguarding existing production must therefore go hand in hand with improving those areas that remain insufficiently developed.
“ITALIAN SOUNDING” AND THE PROTECTION OF PRODUCTION IDENTITY
Another front in international competition is “Italian sounding”—the marketing of products presented to consumers as Italian despite not actually originating from Italy. This phenomenon is viewed as causing economic harm to Italian producers, particularly those who directly bear the costs of agricultural labor and production. The issue of origin is especially critical in international markets, where the reputation of “Made in Italy” represents significant commercial value. Consequently, safeguarding the geographical identity of products is inextricably linked to consumer protection, regulations regarding origin, and the defense of the economic value created by agricultural and agri-food enterprises.
INVESTMENTS, RESULTS, AND FUTURE PROSPECTS
The central importance accorded to agriculture stems from the decision to place it at the heart of national policy as a key element of identity, production, future growth, and quality. According to Prime Minister Meloni, this approach has been supported by unprecedented levels of investment and a strategy aimed at helping producers continuously improve quality. The results achieved are credited primarily to the sector’s entrepreneurs, workers, and producers: Italian agriculture ranks first in Europe in terms of value added, with rising agricultural income and an agri-food sector capable of setting new records. At the same time, however, the prevailing view is that these results are not yet sufficient and that there remains further room for growth.
A NATIONAL ASSET WITHIN A EUROPEAN CONTEXT
The reflections prompted by the “Risò” event extend far beyond the mere promotion of an agricultural product. Encapsulated within a single grain of rice are the labor of generations, the transformation of the landscape, the memories of the women who worked the land, technological innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and national identity. At the same time, the rice supply chain operates within a European and international system defined by trade rules, environmental and social standards, free trade agreements, common agricultural policies, and production protection mechanisms. Safeguarding this heritage is thus linked to Italy’s ability to maintain competitiveness and quality without compromising the standards that define its production model. The stated goal is to guide tradition into the future through collaboration among institutions, businesses, and workers. From this perspective, public responsibility lies primarily in creating the conditions that allow producers to generate wealth and continue upholding Italian excellence. Rice thus serves as a prime example of the interplay between agriculture, territorial identity, international trade, and European policy, demonstrating how the protection of a national supply chain increasingly depends on the ability to operate simultaneously at the local, national, European, and global levels.