The application to register "Castagna del Partenio" as a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, entering the European registration process.

The publication is described as a decisive step toward European recognition. It does not complete the procedure: final EU registration has not been granted, and the date on which protection would enter into force remains to be determined.

The process has involved regional authorities, municipalities, producers and sector organisations, including the Consorzio Distretto della Castagna e del Marrone della Campania, a dedicated promotional committee, public institutions, local administrations and supply-chain operators.

A production area across four provinces

The proposed production area covers 22 municipalities across the provinces of Avellino, Benevento, Caserta and Naples.

Five of those municipalities are in the province of Benevento, in the Sannio area:

  • Arpaia
  • Arpaise
  • Forchia
  • Pannarano
  • Paolisi

Their inclusion links part of Sannio directly to the Partenio chestnut area and to the next stages of the European procedure.

A long-standing chestnut tradition

The product is associated with a long-standing chestnut-growing tradition in the Partenio area. The research describes distinctive characteristics including easy separation of the inner skin, a porous texture and high sugar content.

The application identifies local varieties including Bionda di Mercogliano, Castagna di Summonte, Marrone di Cervinara and Marrone di Pannarano.

The final approved product specification was not established by the material acquired for this article, so detailed production rules should await the outcome of the EU procedure.

Campania and chestnut geographical indications

Campania already has four registered chestnut-related geographical indications:

  • Castagna di Montella
  • Marrone di Roccadaspide
  • Marrone di Serino / Castagna di Serino
  • Castagna di Roccamonfina

If approved, Castagna del Partenio would join that list, adding a Partenio-based designation covering municipalities in four provinces.

For readers in the five Sannio municipalities, the practical point is procedural: the EU-level publication has taken place, the 22-municipality area including Arpaia, Arpaise, Forchia, Pannarano and Paolisi is identified in the application, and the file now continues through the European registration process toward a final decision.