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CASTANEAEXPO 12-14 December 2025
Castanea Expo 2025: The First National Fair on the Future of Italian Chestnut Cultivation
At Fortezza da Basso in Florence from December 12 to 14
The new initiative by Firenze Fiera in the field of direct exhibitions is called Castanea Expo 2025, the first national fair dedicated to the world of the chestnut tree and its fruits, which will take place at Fortezza da Basso in Florence from December 12 to 14.
Italian chestnut cultivation, between demand, supply, and innovation, will be the focus of a new fair covering a broad spectrum—from cultivation to the processing of chestnuts and marrons into fine gluten-free flours, to their use in pastry making, gastronomy, craft beer production, and innovative products that promote health and well-being thanks to their complex carbohydrates, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium content. Agronomy, technologies, processing plants, gastronomic and timber production, patents, museum networks, mill networks, sustainable and experiential tourism, and discussions with commercial operators and buyers will be the core themes of this comprehensive industry event.
The event is supported by a scientific committee composed of institutions, research bodies, and economic and cultural entities committed to chestnut cultivation as an economic, social, and environmental ecosystem. This will be a unique opportunity to plan a new phase of recovery, expansion, and promotion of the national chestnut heritage in its most significant expressions: both traditional and innovative chestnut groves, with the aim of increasing the prestigious national production of "Castanea Sativa", which is highly valued and in demand in Italy and abroad.
"From December 12 to 14, with Castanea Expo—an event that joins our 2025 portfolio of direct exhibitions alongside Didacta Italia and MIDA – the International Handicrafts Exhibition—Fortezza da Basso will once again become the ideal stage for showcasing and enhancing an agri-food excellence that many Tuscan mountain towns and other Italian regions take pride in, focusing on values such as development, innovative technologies, territorial promotion, green tourism, and sustainability," said Lorenzo Becattini, President of Firenze Fiera.
"Castanea Expo," adds Massimo Seragnoli, Project Manager of the fair, "represents a three-day national and European event for networking and business, presenting new agronomic practices, technological solutions for chestnut grove management, and processing plants for harvested products. New products will also be showcased for a healthy and natural diet. Florence will gather chestnut growers, chestnut grove owners, municipalities, Pro Loco associations, and tourism operators to promote the centuries-old chestnut culture and experiential tourism in historic villages linked to chestnut-related activities. A dedicated area will focus entirely on chestnut wood and its applications in construction and furniture. Special invitations will be extended to schools of all levels, particularly agricultural, culinary, and tourism institutes, as well as university faculties."
The event, which will be held every two years, is dedicated to industry professionals and open to the public upon registration – free entry. Visitors will be able to participate in guided tastings, explore new “green” itineraries, and purchase typical PGI products from various chestnut-growing regions. The program will also include meetings, talk shows, and conferences covering various topics such as agronomy, harvesting, nutraceuticals, sustainable tourism, and the promotion of the economy in rural areas.
In Italy, 15 chestnut and marron-based products have obtained European recognition as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication):
- Castagna Cuneo PGI – Cuneo province, Piedmont
- Castagna del Monte Amiata PGI – Grosseto and Siena provinces, Tuscany
- Castagna di Montella PGI – Avellino province, Campania
- Castagna di Vallerano PDO – Viterbo province, Lazio
- Farina di Castagne della Lunigiana PDO – Massa Carrara province, Tuscany
- Farina di Neccio della Garfagnana PDO – Lucca province, Tuscany
- Marrone del Mugello PGI – Florence province, Tuscany
- Marrone della Valle di Susa PGI – Turin province, Piedmont
- Marrone di Caprese Michelangelo PDO – Arezzo province, Tuscany
- Marrone di Castel del Rio PGI – Bologna province, Emilia-Romagna
- Marrone di Combai PGI – Treviso province, Veneto
- Marrone di Roccadaspide PGI – Salerno province, Campania
- Marrone di San Zeno PDO – Verona province, Veneto
- Marrone di Serino PGI – Avellino province, Campania
- Marroni del Monfenera PGI – Treviso province, Veneto
- Miele di Castagno della Lunigiana PDO
These designations certify the quality and specific geographical origin of the products, enhancing local traditions and guaranteeing authenticity to consumers. In addition to these, numerous protection consortia and voluntary associations exist across the country, supporting local ecotypes and premium productions.
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