In Umbria the economy moves in different directions and can be divided into three major sectors:
- industry and crafts;
- agriculture;
- tourism and services.
Industry
Between Perugia and the Umbria upper side, the textile, clothing, hides and leather industries stand out.
In the area between Città di Castello and San Giustino, the industries for the production of agricultural machinery and equipment are of particular relevance.
The aeronautical industries – globally projected -, mechanical, railway and those directed to the production of bearings, machine tools and electric motors find their concentration in the industrial area of Foligno.
In the province of Terni there are the largest metalworking, industrial, iron and steel and chemical settlements.
With around 1,200 companies, the food industry deserves a special mention; specifically, we are talking about large wine processing industries in the Trasimeno Lake area and olive oil in the Spoleto area and the related marketing on the national and international market.
But the excellence in the confectionery industry (in Perugia and Umbertide) and bakery products (Assisi) should not be overlooked, as well as the mineral water sector in Sangemini, Nocera and Gualdo Tadino which exploits the numerous Apennine springs.
Finally, the industrial area of Bastia Umbra is characterized by the production of cheese, for that of animal feed and the industrial transformation of meat.
The production hub is also characterized by industries operating in the printing, packaging machinery and tobacco processing sectors.
Furthermore, one of the main national exhibition centers is located there, which attracts a large number of participants and visitors on the occasion of the various exhibitions.
Crafts
The handicraft sector also has geographical areas of specialization.
Of particular importance is the production of ceramics which differ in type and color depending on whether you are in Deruta, Gubbio, Gualdo Tadino, Orvieto or Città di Castello.
Valuable is the activity of the textile sector such as the fabrics with the precious textures of linen, hemp and cotton or with ancient and precious embroideries of Montefalco which is flanked by the clothing sector among which productive excellences stand out mainly in the processing of cashmere.
Also noteworthy is the woodworking sector and in particular the production of furniture, whose most important companies are located in the Umbria upper side and Todi.
Finally, the traditional manufacturing of wrought iron, which occupies the area between Gubbio and Orvieto.
Agriculture
Grapes, extra virgin olive oil, wheat, tobacco, sunflowers, sugar beet, maize, cereals play an important role in the Umbrian agricultural economy, but it is the black truffle of Norcia and Spoleto that ranks among the very first for quality and production in Italy.
In February 2023, the first truffle supply chain arose, to which 71 Umbrian companies joined.
In Umbria the cultivation of the vine and the vinification are part of a process which – in small and medium-sized cellars and thanks to increasingly refined methods and targeted care – leads to excellent results, with the production of unique and prestigious wines such as Torgiano , Orvieto, the Colli del Trasimeno and Montefalco, in demand in Italy and abroad.
Moving to the areas of Spello, Spoleto and Trevi, there are several mills that produce extra virgin olive oil with a fruity and unique accent with “moraiolo”, “frantoio” and “leccino” cultivars that have obtained important awards, even worldwide.
Tourism
In Umbria it is possible to practice religious tourism, with a visit to the numerous churches and abbeys spread throughout the area, to move on to the cultural one – exhibitions, museums, festivals, congresses and beautiful small towns – and food and wine, focused on the discovery of particular farmhouses.
Borders
Umbria is defined as the “green heart of Italy” but, if analyzed carefully, this region is also a strategic heart from which it is possible to quickly and easily reach all the regions of central Italy (such as the Marches, Tuscany, the Lazio and Abruzzo), where economically important businesses are located.
