Costs, revenues and incomes of Sicilian farms that cultivate cactus pear

Sicily, placed at the center of the Mediterranean, for its favorable soil and climatic conditions, represents the main production area of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller) in Italy. In this context, the paper aims to estimate production costs, revenues and incomes of the Sicilian farms that cultivate cactus pear. The economic analysis has been carried out in the area of Santa Margherita Belice (AG), where the cultivation of cactus pear assumes a significant importance for the economy of the territory and where in last years many farmers have implanted specialized plantations also for the support granted by the EU agricultural policy. Economic analysis has involved 20 farms specialized in the production of cactus pear, in which plants are induced to reblooming by removing the flowers in spring, through a technique known as "scozzolatura" that allows the production of extra-seasonal fruits (autumnal). The results of paper highlight that despite a productive scenario characterized by high production costs, the cactus pear can guarantee the permanence of man in the territory, thus avoiding rural exodus phenomena.