# Reggio Calabria bergamot industry development

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/reggio-calabria-bergamot-industry-development
> Updated: 2026-10-25T14:46:43.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 4.

Reggio Calabria is advancing efforts to formalize and promote its bergamot industry through international partnerships, legal protections, and cultural events.

On an international level, the city has joined the European Club of Mayors of Perfume Cities. This partnership with Grasse, France, aims to strengthen the region’s role in the fragrance industry by promoting natural essences and fostering economic, institutional, and academic cooperation. Local leaders have proposed developing specialized tourist routes to showcase the region's unique identity within a broader European context.

Simultaneously, the legal process for the ‘Bergamot of Reggio Calabria’ to receive Protected Geographical Indication (IGP) status has progressed. The Regional Administrative Court (TAR) of Lazio has rejected all appeals regarding the process, including a challenge by Società Agricola Fratelli Foti. The court ruled that the production specifications comply with IGP regulations and that the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry acted legitimately. With these legal hurdles cleared, the application moves toward final approval by the European Commission.

To further promote the fruit, the city hosted the fifth edition of the Bergarè festival from October 22 to 25, 2026. Centered at the Castello Aragonese, the event followed the theme ‘Identity and Territory’ and concluded with record attendance. The festival featured a ‘Bergarè Village’ market, mixology contests, and a specialist conference addressing agronomic strategies to protect bergamot crops against climate change through innovation and sustainability.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-25: Bergarè 2026 event highlights bergamot industry in Reggio Calabria

The Bergarè 2026 event in Reggio Calabria concluded with record attendance, showcasing the bergamot industry through scientific research, institutional talks, and culinary innovation.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bergar-2026-event-highlights-bergamot-industry-in-reggio-calabria

### 2026-10-19: Reggio Calabria hosts Bergarè 2026 bergamot festival

The Bergarè 2026 festival begins in Reggio Calabria, celebrating the bergamot citrus through culinary showcases, cocktail competitions, and exhibitions of its uses in perfumery and gastronomy.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/reggio-calabria-hosts-bergar-2026-bergamot-festival

### 2026-10-14: Bergamot of Reggio Calabria IGP process advances after court rejects appeals

The TAR Lazio has rejected appeals against the IGP registration process for Bergamot of Reggio Calabria, clearing the way for the application to proceed to the European Commission.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bergamot-of-reggio-calabria-igp-process-advances-after-court-rejects-appeals

### 2026-10-13: Reggio Calabria joins European Club of Perfume Cities

Reggio Calabria has joined the European Club of Perfume Cities, partnering with Grasse, France, to promote and protect its bergamot production for the global fragrance industry.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/reggio-calabria-joins-european-club-of-perfume-cities

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Cite as: Reggio Calabria bergamot industry development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/reggio-calabria-bergamot-industry-development