Tree crops represent one of the most strategic sectors of global agriculture, both for their economic value and for the fundamental role they play in environmental sustainability. Tree crops provide essential foods for the world’s population. China is the leading global producer, followed at a distance by India and the United States.
Tree crops perform crucial ecological functions that go far beyond simple food production, as they provide stable habitats capable of supporting biodiversity, improve soil fertility and structure, and are even more efficient than forests in capturing and transforming carbon dioxide.
Italy, thanks to its favorable soil and climate conditions, boasts one of the largest areas of permanent crops in Europe, together with Spain. In some regions, fruit trees, olive groves, and vineyards are predominant in terms of cultivated area and production compared to other agricultural crops.
Also noteworthy are trees dedicated to nut production, belonging to different botanical families, whose global production is increasing. Italy stands out at the European level in terms of cultivated area, particularly due to its extensive hazelnut orchards.
