The Italian grape season is coming to an end and in many areas the harvesting and marketing operations have already been completed. In the remaining days of the season, most of the grapes available on the market are grapes with Protected Geographical Indication.
In the Sicilian town of Canicattì, in the heart of the geographical area of the PGI grapes, only historical Italia varieties are grown. This is a proven fact, but now the varieties are also grown in other parts of Italy. Salvatore Lodico, president of the Consortium of Canicattì grapes, talked about the 2020 season, which was distinguished by excellent quality.
Salvatore Lodico
"This has been one of the best seasons I've seen in the last few years. The brix degree was 24, intensifying the muscate-like aftertaste of the grapes. I have rarely experienced such a high degree, as it is usually around 17. The quality was excellent, but the prices, on the other hand, were not very rewarding. Some growers received a price of €0.70 per kilo for their grapes, but the vast majority of the harvest was sold at €0.40 per kilo," said Lodico.
"It is true that the Italia variety has different levels of quality, depending on the area of cultivation. Unfortunately, this year the grapes did not receive their deserved value. If the growers had gotten €0.10 or €0.20 more, it would have been more proportionate to the excellent quality. Now the last batches of grapes are still on the trees, but it is unlikely that there will be any upswing in the market".
Season 2020 is coming to an end and on the one hand the quality is rewarding, and on the other hand there are unsatisfactory prices. "The grape sector has had two difficult years, in which we had to deal with poor quality, due to the berry-cracking phenomenon, and low prices. This seems to be over now," pointed out Lodico.
We asked President Lodico to talk about the latest trend in exports and the answer was surprising, in some ways. "While volumes towards traditional destinations like central and northern Europe have been following a trend that has now crystallized, especially with regard to France, we could not help but notice an increase in demand from Spain and Portugal. The reason is to be found in a probable decrease in Spanish production, which has been integrated with Sicilian production to meet domestic and foreign demand. Another recent change, is the reopening of the Canadian market, which, with the appropriate phytosanitary certifications, has once again requested our product".
"The area of Canicattì, although outside the PGI mark, has recently been undergoing varietal innovations towards seedless grapes. We cannot, locally, ignore what is happening on the markets and therefore we are adapting to the growing demands in this regard", concluded Lodico.
Contact:
Consorzio per la Tutela e la 
Promozione dell'uva da tavola
di Canicattì I.G.P.
C.da Carlino, snc
92024 Canicattì (AG)
Phone.: +39 333 2454985
Email: uvaigpcanicatti@virgilio.it