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During the 20th century large estates planted with wheat and other crops started planting vines to produce high-quality wine. Two examples are Regaleali near Vallelunga and Planeta near Sambuca di Siclia.

In and around Corleone, several co-operatives under the umbrella Libera Terra cultivate land confiscated from mafia bosses to create jobs and strengthen the economy of the area. Wheat is grown for pasta, grapes for wine, as well as fruits, cheeses and honey.

Ribera is known for its production of the prized Washington variety of navel orange, introduced to the area by emigrants returning from North America.

In 1954 crude oil was discovered off the coast of Gela. An offshore platform, port and jetty were built, and within a decade Gela was equipped with a petro-chemical plant for refining domestic and imported oil.

Natural sulphur deposits from Agrigento to Caltanissetta were exploited by the owners of latifondi (large farms) underneath whose land the deposits lay. Sicilian sulphur mining was infamously inefficient, using child labour, primitive extraction and mules until well into the 20th century, thereby selling sulphur at double the market price.

Fishing villages line the southern coast of Sicily with important centres at Licata, Porto Empedocle and Sciacca.

Preserved tuna was a staple food for centuries on ships sailing the Mediterranean, and tuna as well as anchovies and sardines are still big business. At Sciacca, anchovies and sardines are processed by hand and packed under salt or olive oil for export all over the world.

The interior of the island was taken up with latifondi until well into the 20th century and it’s still an important source of income. Vast valleys and hills are devoted to cultivating Sicily’s special grano duro (see Bread).

Traditional ceramics are still made in various centres, notably Sciacca where the designs are in green, yellow and blue.

Large fava beans are cultivated in the countryside near Enna. They are eaten dressed with olive oil or used in soups.