In the last few years agricultural production in Massa Carrara has undergone notable reinforcement in terms of identity, image and general quality. The winning reply to the structural decline in the agricultural world during the eighties and nineties has been the pursuit of quality production and the affirmation of local specialities.

There has been a satisfactory increase in the terrain used for the production of DOC, DOCG and IGT wines (respectively, Controlled Designation of Origin, Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin and Typical Geographical Indication). Particular mention can be made of DOC Candia wine from the Apuan hills and from the hills of Luni and also the IGT Val di Magra wine.

As far as the quality viticulture sector is concerned, by making a comparison of censuses, we can see that both the amount of land under cultivation and the number of companies involved have more than doubled (28.4 hectares in 1990, 67.1 in 2000; 27 companies in 1990, 64 at the end of 2000): a transformation of production that confirms the movement towards a type of viticulture that will stand out ever more clearly for its search for quality and distinctiveness.

The animal livestock sector has also been undergoing a process of qualitative improvement in production. We can draw attention in particular to meat producing cattle and the Zeri lambs, which form the best response to the crises of the past and the decrease in the number of heads over the last few years.

It is also to be noted that the bee-keeping industry is going through the same qualitative process: one of the most important results gained recently was the attainment of the European Union certification ‘Honey of Lunigiana’ for what was already a protected product (DOP: Denominazione di Origine Protetta) in Italy.

Last but by no means least, the lard from Colonata is famous throughout the world for its genuineness connected to the particular methods of its production in marble containers, and this has been recognized at a European level, with its seal of protected geographical indication (P.G.I.).

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