Sicily produces 92% of the Italian domestic lemon production with its 18,844 hectares yet, despite the 2,586,507 tons, holds the 12th place on a global level.
Thanks also to the activities of the Apo Sicilia consortium, Bagheria (PA) is one of leading centers for the production and commercialization of lemons.
Above: group photo of the delegation at the "World lemon industry development summit"
"Our organic production is interesting for the Chinese authorities, which are converting production to make it environmentally sustainable," explains consortium president Antonio Fricano.
A moment during the company visit in China
"We were the only Italian company to attend 'World lemon industry development summit', the first global event of the sort that took place on 17th September 2019 in Ziyang (a city with 3 million 46 thousand inhabitants and covering an area of 5,747 Km²), in the Sichuan province (the province covers 485,000 square km with a population of 90 million inhabitants and it is the third most populated province in China)."
"Anyue county in the Ziyang prefecture covers 2,700 sq km with a population of around 1,630,000 inhabitants and is known as the 'lemon capital of China'. Lemons were introduced in 1929 and the production covers 80% of the Chinese yearly needs."
Above: a selfie with Antonio Fricano (right), Michele Balistreri and a Chinese lemon producer
"The forum included experts from the five main lemon producers in the world who signed a document on the development, storing and production of lemons that focuses on the brotherhood between the various nations and on studying ways to safeguard plants from disease. Professors from various nations intervened to establish a form of collaboration for sustainable development," explained Michele Balistreri, president of the La Piana d'Oro association.
Above: the Chinese lemon grove visited by the Italian delegation is grown with the bagging technique
The document was signed by Bagheria Mayor Filippo Maria Tripoli in the presence of CREA agronomist Santo Agnello and Slow Food Bagheria manager Adalberto Catanzaro. The Italian delegation and Cinzia Chen, owner of Givia srl and expert in development and reciprocity policies between China and Italy, also witnessed the moment.
"According to FAO 2015/2017 data, China is the leading lemon producer worldwide with a percentage of around 26%. We have initiated a process to promote our Verdello lemons as an added value for the economy, history, tradition and identity of our territory."