WORLD 11 SOCIO-ECONOMIC particularly for the volatile fractions; Location of processing: CONCLUSIONS: terpenes, esters, alcohols and aldehydes, Farm/district level. Historically, the so- IMPACT STUDY OF THE NATURALS and for the non-volatile fractions, such as called “machine calabrisi” was used for Matching the growing global awareness oxygenated heterocyclic compounds, as the production of essence of bergamot, and interest in naturals, the bergamot well as coumarins and furanocoumarins. where fruits were peeled eight at a time. supply chain offers a highly resilient and Today the oil is extracted with machines sustainable source for a sound and safe In recent times, other applications and called “peelers” which allow the oil yield development of its usage in F&F, and in properties of the product have been to stabilise at a favourable level. These new pharmaceutical applications. BERGAMOT OIL explored. machines scrape the outside of the fruit under running water to get an emulsion In 2015, 35,000 kg per week was which is channelled into centrifuges for distributed to Italian supermarkets as fresh separating the essence from the water. fruit and it was also distributed in Spain, REFERENCES This report on bergamot oil is the twelfth in a series of reports being produced by the IFEAT the UK and Switzerland. The consumption Distinguishing characteristics: • Arrigo, A., 2011. Bergamot – A Resilient Citrus. Socio-Economic Sub-Committee on the importance of specific naturals to the livelihoods of of the fruit was advertised as the means It is estimated that from the bergamot In: IFEAT International Conference 2011. those involved in their production. This report, along with all the previous socio-economic to reduce and control so-called bad under cultivation, approximately 25,000 Barcelona, Spain 6 – 10 November 2011. reports, can be found on the IFEAT website, under the tab “Publications”. cholesterol levels. metric tons of fresh fruit are produced. London: IFEAT. With 1kg of oil being obtained from 200kg COMMON NAME – BERGAMOT – CITRUS BERGAMIA RISSO ET POIT of fruit, the current production is calculated • Bredenberg, K., 2004. An overview of trends in SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC at 125 metric tons per year. Around 20% citrus oil production in the countries bordering CHARACTERISTICS: of the total cultivated area is represented the Mediterranean. In: IFEAT International by family fields with less than two hectares, Conference 2004. Lisbon, Portugal October Bergamot production stands as an while 25% have two to five hectares, 25% 2004. London: IFEAT. important source of revenue for local have five to ten hectares, and 25% have agriculture, and for the 4,500 families INTRODUCTION: Today, bergamot is a key ingredient and grown, namely Feminello, Fantastico and more than ten hectares. A key factor that • Chapot, H. 1948. Mission au Maroc. Inst. des involved in its production cycle. Today, Bergamot, which is a hybrid between game changer in more than 50% of all Castagnaro. helps many farmers is that bergamot Fruits et Agrumes Coloniaux [Paris]. Rap. Ann. thanks to an ambitious policy, the a bitter orange and a lemon, was most fine fragrances worldwide, and Earl Grey trees do not need particular care, except 1962. Le bergamotier. Al Awamia [Rabat] bergamot supply chain (including all probably crafted for ornamental purposes tea is of course flavoured with bergamot. Being situated in the Northern Hemisphere, irrigation during summer and pruning 5: 1-27. stakeholders, from farm to University, during the Arab occupation of Sicily Nowadays, new extraction methods are the crop is taken in winter (December to every two to three years. They are long- processors and users) is on its way to between the 8th and late 12th centuries. used for pharmaceutical applications and February) and a good crop is considered lasting trees and it is common to find trees • IFEAT, 2009. IFEAT Study Tour of Italy February achieving a full sustainable profile and its the antioxidant properties of the fruit and to be one that delivers around 120 metric more than 50-years-old. (Arrigo, 2011) 22 – 27 2009 Final Report. London: IFEAT. resilience factor is highly positive. The bergamot has been known in the its components are becoming increasingly tons of crude oil. Mediterranean for several centuries, the popular. During the past 10 years the sales of • ISO 3520:1998. Oil of bergamot [Citrus Recent statistics reflect that production of distinctive and desirable characteristics of Processing of the fruits is mechanical and organic materials rose up significantly and aurantium L. subsp. bergamia (Wight et Arnott) bergamot has increased by 11% in recent its oil having been recognised as early as The main growing areas worldwide are: is done using traditional cold press systems the trend is still increasing. Engler], Italian type. years. 1750. It is assumed that it originated as (mainly Pelatrice extractors). a seedling in southern Italy and therefore • Italy (Calabria): makes up around 90% Volumes: • ISO 4720:2009. Essential oils. Nomenclature. According to a study conducted by the it may be of interest to note that the of total production today A clear liquid, varying in color from green Italy is the world’s largest producer of University of Magna Grecia and the distinctive aroma of bergamot oil occurs to greenish yellow, bergamot essential oil bergamot oil. With a production in • Stracuzzi, A., 2004. The Italian Citrus Industry. International Fragrance Association, also in the limettas (C. limetta Risso) of the • Ivory Coast: used to be an alternative consists for the most part (average 95%) 2008/2009 of 70 metric tons, and current In: IFEAT International Conference 2004. Lisbon, together with Reggio Calabria University Mediterranean basin – they are sometimes source but in recent years, production of a volatile fraction and for the remaining production estimated at around 125 metric Portugal October 2004. London: IFEAT. and the Bergamot Consortio, 83% of the incorrectly referred to as bergamots. has decreased drastically part (5%) of a non-volatile fraction (or tons. The contribution of bergamot oil to growers are ready to expand their activity, residual). the export of Italian essential oils is higher • The Economist Online, 2010. Bergamot. The planting more trees to improve production. For reasons that are not clear, this fruit is • Brazil: some recent initiatives are taking than 3%. (Arrigo, 2011; IFEAT, 2009) sweet smell of Christmas. 23rd December 2010. commercially-grown primarily for the rind place to develop the production. Chemically, it is a highly complex mixture Accessed from: http://www.economist.com/ Impact Category: oil and is mostly confined to the province of many classes of organic substances, blogs/newsbook/2010/12/bergamot High impact, many people involved. of Calabria in southern Italy. Historically, PRODUCTION the planting areas were just over 3,000 AND PROCESSING Relevant site location: hectares. While the tree grows and bears Italy. Bergamot is grown only in a small well in Sicily and in portions of North CHARACTERISTICS: PELATRICE DECANTING area of Calabria where just over 1,400 Africa and elsewhere, it is reported that In Calabria, bergamot groves can be found Peeling machine Bergamot oil hectares of planted fields produce almost the oil is highly variable, inferior in quality, on a 140km stretch of land beginning in Reggio di Calabria, heading South and 90% of the world’s total bergamot crop. SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY OF THE NATURALS • BERGAMOT OIL STUDY OF THE NATURALS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT and therefore unprofitable. • BERGAMOT OIL STUDY OF THE NATURALS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT following the Ionian Coast. Over 1,400 Production is concentrated north to south Bergamot oil is commercially important hectares are planted and are managed of Reggio Calabria Province covering because it constitutes the base of cologne through several Cooperatives and the foothill area by the Ionian Sea at the water (eau de cologne), perhaps the most Growers’ Associations, and a further 450 southern end of the Italian Peninsula. widely used toilet water, and also has other ha are being planted. Due to historical perfumery uses. According to Chapot reasons (former latifundism) and land Farmed or foraged: (1962b), this cologne water was developed shape (relatively narrow coastal plains), Farmed. in Cologne in 1676 by an Italian, Paolo the total number of hectares continued to Feminis, and it was commercialised decrease until more recently. The average Harvest timing: by his son-in-law, Gian Maria Farina. size of 50% of all plantations is rather The bergamot harvest starts from mid to Its manufacture dates back to 1709. small (2 ha), and the largest hardly exceed late November/early December and can Bergamot petitgrain oil is another product 20 ha. last until the end of February/early March. of minor importance, distilled from the leaves and young growth of the plant. There are three different varieties of bergamot fruits that are traditionally Photos courtesy of Capua 1880 Srl..