Livestock and Fisheries

Livestock breeding is a traditional agricultural activity, which has also suffered the effects of the crisis in this sector, as is apparent from underdevelopment in the last few decades. Methods are somewhat backward except in the Po Valley, and the contribution to national demand for meat is insufficient. Certain old customs, such as transhumance in the Apennines, are now dying out, however in the North, high altitude alpine pastures are still grazed in the summer. Pig breeding and poultry are presently expanding but the once large number of horses and other pack animals has dropped sharply. Quality animal products are salami and cheese, though imported raw materials are also utilized in their production. In spite of extensive coastlines and though heir to an ancient tradition, the fishing industry in Italy is of relatively minor importance, partly due to lack of coordination in the sector. Consequently, the total catch is insufficient to satisfy internal demand, which can however rely on a variety of frozen products, often of foreign origin.