Analysis of the local food sector: the case of the Italian region of Campania

In recent years special attention has been given to the local food sector. For many authors this sector has a lot of potentialities: local food production can contribute to the creation of value for the different actors involved in the value chain but also for the growth of the whole territory in which the companies of this sector are located. In accordance to this view, the present research, using a sample of 407 companies of the Italian region of Campania operating in the local food sector, has investigated the variables which affect the profitability of the local food sector companies operating the Campania region. Results evidence that the companies operate in the local food sector of the Campania region are quite young and have a good profitability. This profitability is generally connected to a small firms size, to a low level of debts and a high level of liquidity.