A three-day event was held between 20th and 22nd February 2017 to promote the internalisation of some companies as part of Distretto degli Agrumi di Sicilia, in cooperation with Ice.
Group photo.
The event started with a convention during which stakeholders from Poland learned about the Sicilian economy and production and about the business it generates.
The initiative, strongly supported by Distretto Agrumi di Sicilia president Federica Argentati, represents a milestone as it effectively provides new opportunities for the sector.
"This is the second stage of a project that started in November with our visit to Poland. From the feedback collected, I believe the initiative will be successful. Of course companies must now continue to take care of the commercial side autonomously."
Photo above: speakers' table. Below: the audience at the convention.
The organoleptic properties of products were illustrated during the convention, as well as the tools the Sicily region makes available to companies and the opportunities supplied by ICE which, according to Trade Analyst (ICE Warsaw) Magdalena Muszynska, "is happy to support Sicilian companies interested in exporting produce to Poland."
Piero Miosi, marketing manager for the Department of Agriculture of the Sicily Region, talked about the measures implemented to help the sector.
Paolo Rapisarda, Director of the Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economy, illustrated his own historical and scientific analysis of citrus fruit production in Sicily. In particular, he highlighted the qualities and nutraceutical properties of Sicilian blood oranges and lemons.
On the second day, the President of the Distretto accompanied buyers to visit a few of the companies that had made up the Sicilian delegation to Poland such as Azienda Agricola Arena in Ramacca (Catania) and the Rosaria PO in Belpasso (Catania).
Photo above: Az. Agr. Arena. Below: meeting at the Rosaria PO.
During the event, President Argentati stressed how the interest shown by Sicilian companies was at the basis of a business network that created 'People of Sicily' with the purpose of strengthening the relationship between those with the same interests.
In the afternoon, the group transferred to Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto (Messina) to visit AgrumiGel, a leading company in the citrus fruit processing sector.
The third day was dedicated to lemons with a visit to Agricola Campisi Italia in Cassibile (Siracusa) and Soc. Coop. Agr. Alba Lemon. The latter is near the sea and a stone's throw from the Vendicari reserve. Both implement organic cultivation techniques. In the afternoon, the group visited the AAT facility, a company the manufactures automatic citrus squeezers exported all over the world.
Photo above: visit to Campisi. Photo below: Alba Lemon Bio.
The tour was important to provide a first analysis of the markets of both nations. Poland is growing, therefore purchasing power is expected to improve. Even though the Euro has not been adopted as its currency, just being part of the EU will definitely facilitate things.
Polish consumers seem to be very demanding and appreciate high-quality food despite not having a deep knowledge of Italian fruit and vegetable production. The two missions - in Poland and Sicily - had the exact purpose of increasing the knowledge of the two countries.
The visit at AAT.
The mission was a success and will definitely have positive effects for the territory. The Polish delegation was welcomed by potential commercial partners who truly appreciated the event, as reported by Sylwia Kulis-Cenni.
Below, the complete list of the companies who took part in the mission.
