Gianni Raniolo
We talked to one of the leading experts in the sector, Gianni Raniolo (president of Consorzio dell'Uva da Tavola di Mazzarrone Igp) for an assessment of the regional situation as well as of the international dynamics regulating this specific sector.
North-African grapes have affected the Euro-Mediterranean market but they don't seem to have caused any problems on the Middle-Eastern one, at least for what concerns grapes from Mazzarrone.
"This year too, we have sent a good percentage of our exports to those Arab countries that enjoy Sicilian grapes due to their exceptional quality. We ship not only Victoria but red varieties such as Red Globe (available until late November) as well. In October, we will prepare a few quantities for storage, so we can supply supermarkets until December. Our inclination towards marketing and communication means we can sign important agreements. For example, we also ship grapes to Canada, Brazil, Uruguay, etc."
In this video, Raniolo explains how drought affected vineyards in Sicily
"This year, Italia grapes have a bright colour with a sugar level of over 20° Brix. Quality is good, but its characteristics make it unsuitable for exports as it wouldn't be able to withstand the long trips we mentioned above. We prefer to sell it on a domestic and European level so we can guarantee its shelf-life."