Quality of life
directly from farmers

Farming

Farming country South Tyrol

Farming diversity

Diversity in South Tyrol

The farming land is the dominant natural element of South Tyrol and our farmers, who have shaped the region for centuries, live on it and with it. The cultivation of this area brings quality of life for locals and guests.

Farming in South Tyrol is, on average, more important for the landscape and for society than in other Italian regions.
Of the approximately 7,400 km² total area of South Tyrol, 4,841 km² is used for farming. Added to this are the forest areas.

The number of farms - from the smallest to the largest - is around 20,250. Of these, 9,970 are livestock farms. The meadows and pastures stretch across the region up the steepest slopes and over the tree line. In the main valleys and side valleys below 1000 metres above sea level, the landscape is shaped by wine and fruit growing, which takes place over large areas.

From generation to generation
South Tyrolean farming is made up almost exclusively of small family farms. The provincial 'closed farm' law was introduced in order to protect and allow the continued existence of the farms and the farming families and to counteract impoverishment. While still alive, the owner transfers the entire farm to their successor - the estate must not be split up. More than 11,000 farms in South Tyrol are 'closed' - this shows the importance of a legislative instrument that is more relevant today than ever before.

Awarding farms the name of 'heritage farm' is a special honour for the owners of closed farms and signifies appreciation of strict adherence to the inherited farming property. The prerequisite for this is that the farm has been transferred within the same family for at least 200 years and is lived in and managed by the current owner her/himself.

Additional income on the farm
Income from farming alone is often not sufficient for many small family businesses. So that they do not have to take up a second job outside the farm, they rely on additional income from the farm. Holidays on the farm, direct marketing of farm products or farm or wine taverns have succeeded in develping farming in South Tyrol in a positive direction for decades.

Visions for the future
The agricultural development of South Tyrol in the next 10 years should set a clear sign of the times and have the following goals: the many family farms should be consolidated and the protection of nature, clean water, fertile soil and preservation of biodiversity should have top priority. This is the only way to produce premium products and ensure a sustainable living space for future generations.

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Numbers and facts

Get to know South Tyrol

Summary of South Tyrol's farming

On which slopes in South Tyrol do the vineyards shape the landscape, where do most goats live and where are the widest Alpine pastures? Become a real expert on South Tyrol.

South Tyrol

South Tyrol in general

populated area

Fruit and wine growing

Permanent meadows

Alpine pastures and meadows

Forests

Mountains

Rivers, lakes

Glaciers

Wide pastures and mountain ranges (© Tourismusgenossenschaft San Vigilio-San Martin)

40% of the land area

lies at over 2,000 metres, with wide Alpine pastures and mountain chains

Spruce forests are predominant (© Eggental Tourismus/Othmar Seehauser)

50% forest

and wooded areas, predominantly spruce forests

Settlements

are in the terraced low mountain ranges and on the valley floor

Farms

Number of farms

none

up to 100

101 - 200

201 - 300

301 and more

20,250 small family businesses

keep South Tyrol's countryside alive

Over 1,600 of these farms

offer farm holidays under the brand name 'Roter Hahn'

500 innovative farmers

benefit from the megatrend of regional direct marketing

Livestock farms

Livestock farms in %

0 %

up to 25 %

26 % – 50 %

51 % – 75 %

76 % and more

Livestock farming

is carried out mainly at higher altitude areas

Mountain farming

is kept very much alive, is sustainable and shapes the landscape

9,970 farmers keep livestock,

4,300 of which produce milk

Dairy farming

is the main source of income for the mountain farmers

Milk, cheese, mozzarella,

mascarpone, curd cheese, ricotta and yoghurt are produced

As well as cattle,

sheep, goats and Haflinger ponies are kept

Over 1,000 livestock farms

offer farm holidays under the brand name 'Roter Hahn'

Fruit-growing land in %

0 %

to 10 %

11 % to 25 %

26 % to 50 %

51 % and more

18,000 ha of fruit growing land,

on 99% of which apples are grown

South Tyrol's apple growing area

is the largest closed area in Europe

The apple growing region of South Tyrol

is at an altitude of 250 - 1,000 metres

Every tenth apple

sold in Europe comes from South Tyrol

Over 20 apple varieties

are grown for the different markets

Golden Delicious

is the most widely grown and popular apple

Around 50% of the apples

are exported, 20% of these to Germany

Over 500 fruit farms

offer farm holidays under the brand name 'Roter Hahn'

Wine-growing in %

0 %

up to 10 %

11 % to 25 %

26 % to 50 %

51 % and more

5,680 ha in South Tyrol

are planted with vines – an upward trend

Bolzano and surroundings (© Tourismusverein Kaltern/Helmuth Rier)

Bolzano and its surroundings

is the main area for growing fine wines

The Eisacktal valley

is primarily the growing area for white wine varieties

The most important wine varieties are

Vernatsch, Ruländer, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Lagrein

64% of the wine growing land

in South Tyrol is planted with white wine varieties

The Lagrein,

the flagship of South Tyrol, has been at home here for over 1,000 years

National and international wine guides

confirm that South Tyrolean wines are among the best in Italy

40% of the wine

from South Tyrol is exported abroad

Wimmen

is the name for the grape harvest in South Tyrol

Pergola and trellis

are the cultivation systems of the vineyards in South Tyrol

Törggelen

The young wine is served together with specialities from the farm

Around 300 wine farms

offer farm holidays under the brand name 'Roter Hahn'

Arable farmland in %

0 %

up to 25 %

26 % to 50 %

51 % to 75 %

76 % and more

65 % of South Tyrol's land

is used for farming

Meadows and arable land

are spread across the region

Milk, apples and wine

are the three main sectors in South Tyrolean farming

Seiser Alm (© IDM Südtirol/Clemens Zahn)

There are 1,700 Alpine pastures

which are farmed in summer

Permanent meadows in %

0 %

up to 10 %

11 % to 25 %

26 % to 50 %

51 % and more

Grassland areas at an altitude of over 1,000 m

Almost 80%

of the grassland areas are at an altitude of over 1,000 m

90,000 cattle, sheep and goats

spend the summer on South Tyrol's Alpine pastures

South Tyrol is characterized by

nature and landscape conservation, which results in sustainable farming

Forest area

Forest area in %

up to 10 %

11 % to 25 %

26 % to 50 %

51 % and more

Forests

cover half of the land area of South Tyrol

Spruce,

with a 62% share, is the most important type of tree

Rock partridge, otter or eagle owl

Many protected wildlife species inhabit the forests

100% farm

One hundred percent farm

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Authentic hospitality and lively farming: an unbeatable holiday experience.

Whether it's a mountain, fruit or wine farm - all our farms combine authentic hospitality, farm products, comfortable accommodation and lively farming to give you an unbeatable holiday experience.