Fagiolo di Sarconi

Fagiolo di Sarconi designates fresh, shelling, and dried beans of local cannellino and borlotto varieties grown in eleven municipalities of the Alto Val dell'Agri in Basilicata. The designation is defined by cultivation on non-calcareous, slightly acidic soils above 600 metres, hand harvesting, and the use of low-salt irrigation water drawn from the same area.

About this designation

Fagiolo di Sarconi is a PGI registered on 2 July 1996 under file number PGI-IT-1531 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013408). The designation covers beans of local cannellino and borlotto varieties produced within the territory of eleven named municipalities: Sarconi, Grumento Nova, Marsiconuovo, Marsico Vetere, Moliterno, Montemurro, Paterno, San Martino d'Agri, Spinoso, Tramutola, and Viggiano. Cultivation is restricted to land situated above 600 metres above sea level. Cannellino and borlotto types are sown from April to May; dwarf and climbing varieties are planted in June to July. Harvesting must be carried out by hand, with the harvest period varying according to whether the product is marketed as green pods, pods for shelling, or dried seeds. The specification permits only agricultural methods that preserve the product's characteristic qualities. The geographical link is attributed to the non-calcareous, slightly acidic soils of the Alto Val dell'Agri, the availability of low-salt irrigation water, and average maximum summer temperatures around 20 °C. These conditions are held to prevent thickening of the seed coat and to maintain a high content of simple sugars in the seed. Control falls under the Ministero delle risorse agricole alimentari e forestali, assisted by a producers' consortium. The product must be labelled 'Fagiolo di Sarconi I.G.P.' followed by the relevant mark.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 2 July 1996 under file number PGI-IT-1531, eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013408.
• Cultivation is restricted to eleven named municipalities in the Alto Val dell'Agri, all above 600 metres above sea level.
• Only local cannellino and borlotto varieties are permitted; harvesting must be carried out by hand.
• The specification attributes the product's qualities to non-calcareous, slightly acidic soils and low-salt irrigation water specific to the production area.

Tasting notes

Lucanian bean from Sarconi area (Potenza province), multiple traditional varieties. Distinctive flavor with characteristic earthy-sweet notes, tender texture.

HoReCa use

Lucanian preparations including minestre, dishes with peperoni cruschi, and regional pasta dishes.

Packaging

• vacuum-pack-dried-500g
• vacuum-pack-dried-1kg