Beyond the Label: Power, Production, and Market Orientation in Italy’s PDO Cheese and Olive Oil producers

Protected Designations of Origin (PDOs) are meant to protect quality and support local producers — but do they actually deliver fair value to farmers and producers? This thesis looks at the entire landscape of Italian PDO olive oil and cheese to find out the reasons of joining this label. Using economic indicators like farm-gate and retail prices, as well as cluster analysis and different ANOVA, it uncovers clear gaps in how value is distributed. Some producers thrive, while others barely break even. The research shows that beyond the label, its local coordination, visibility, and producer structure that shape outcomes. PDOs aren’t magic — but when well-governed, they can be powerful tools for rural development.