Sales manager of Lucana Salumi
Since 1969, Lucana Salumi has carried on the charcuterie tradition of Basilicata, combining farming roots, high-quality raw materials, and a constant focus on innovation.
At TUTTOFOOD 2025, the company showcased its specialties, reaffirming its strong bond with the territory and its ambition to expand across both national and international markets.
Giovanni, which specialty did you highlight at Tuttofood?
We presented our flagship product, the Lucanica di Picerno, which has obtained Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status and will be launched on the market this summer under the IGP label.
What makes this product unique?
It represents the strong connection our company has with the territory. It starts with our name, Lucana Salumi, and continues with the tradition, care, and craftsmanship we dedicate to each product. It is born out of respect for the knowledge of our farmers and today reaches Italian tables, blending tradition with the technological innovation the market now requires.
And what about the raw materials you use?
We use only Italian pork, never frozen. The seasoning is based on wild fennel seeds harvested by local farmers, along with black pepper and chili flakes, giving us both sweet and spicy versions. Everything is stuffed into natural casing and made from the finest cuts, from the shoulder to the noble trimmings of ham and hindquarters.
Besides the Lucanica, how broad is your product range?
We offer a wide variety: raw ham, soppressata, rolled pancetta, capocollo, another of our flagship products, and of course the Lucanica, a seasoned sausage. In addition, with the support of new technologies, we have set up a clean room where we also slice not only our products but other traditional Italian cured meats as well. This allows us to cater to modern distribution channels in addition to normal trade and the Horeca sector, which has always been our main market.
So, you are addressing a diversified market.
Exactly. Our strategy is to diversify, targeting all channels with specific product lines. This way, we can reach different market segments while maintaining the quality that sets us apart.
Lucana Salumi is deeply rooted in the territory but also forward-looking. How important is this balance?
It is fundamental. The company was founded in 1969 with the idea of bringing typical Lucanian products to the tables of Potenza, Naples, and Rome. With the second generation, we are expanding our presence across all of Italy and developing an internationalization project to promote our cured meats abroad.
You are regular exhibitors at major trade fairs. Will we see you again at Cibus?
We already have a visit to Cibus planned, so we look forward to meeting everyone there. Lucana Salumi thus stands as a shining example of how a family business can grow without losing its bond with the land. From the choice of raw materials to respect for artisanal methods, combined with the introduction of technologies that ensure safety and high standards, the company has become a true ambassador of Southern Italy’s flavors.
A tradition strengthened by solid roots, now opening to the future through innovation and a strong presence in new markets, bringing the authentic taste of Basilicata ever further afield without ever losing its identity.
