The Contribution of Geographical Certification Programs to Farm Income and Rural Economies: The Case of Pecorino Siciliano PDO

This study attempts to measure the capacity of EU geographical certification scheme positively influence price certified products and incomes their producers. A comparison economic results two cheese-producing dairy farm enterprises with different business strategies locations within Sicilian hinterlands is performed in order determine transformation value each dairy’s sheep milk into pecorino cheese (with without Protected Designation Origin, or PDO, certification) related joint (ricotta). The convenience total Pecorino Siciliano PDO ricotta also appraised. suggest that producing commercializing a promising strategy for differentiating promoting improving financial performance producers, foreseeable positive repercussions socioeconomically less favored rural areas where they are located.