Exploring Farm Diversity in Italian Commercial Chestnut Farms: Economic Intensity, Specialization, and Structural Maturity

Italy is among the world’s leading producers and exporters of chestnut. Over the past two decades, however, the sector has undergone significant structural changes driven by phytosanitary shocks and evolving market conditions. This study examines the structural and economic heterogeneity of Italian commercial chestnut farms over the period 2019–2023, aiming to identify recurrent production configurations and assess their economic performance and territorial distribution within the Farm Sustainability Data Network (FSDN) field of observation. The analysis is based on a balanced panel of 96 farms, from which a subsample of 77 inliers was identified through robust multivariate diagnostic tests. Farm-level indicators were aggregated over five years to capture medium-term positioning. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to identify the main latent dimensions of variability, and fuzzy k-means clustering was subsequently performed on the resulting component scores. A five-cluster configuration was selected on the basis of internal validity indices, bootstrap stability, fuzzifier sensitivity and leave-one-variable-out robustness checks. The results reveal pronounced multidimensional differentiation within the observed sample. High economic intensity does not necessarily translate into greater margin stability, the effects of structural maturity vary according to cost exposure and labor organization. Territorial differentiation is statistically significant but not deterministic. Overall, the analysis provides an empirical characterization of structural profiles and their associated trade-offs within the observed commercial segment, offering insights into differentiated policy responses for perennial Mediterranean farming systems.