The Consortium's commitments are aimed at further promoting the product

It is now time for the annual report of the Canicattì PGI Grape Consortium, which, under the leadership of its president Marsello Lo Sardo, has completed a remarkable year. After a period of five years of catastrophic campaigns, the year 2023 marks a positive trend, not only in terms of production, but also in terms of sales.

Marsello Lo Sardo

"It had been years since we last smelled the aroma of Muscat in our warehouses," says Lo Sardo. "This has been the main factor that has allowed us to regain a significant position on the markets, at a time when the Italia grape variety (the only one included in the Consortium's specifications - ed.) seemed destined for a collapse with no return. The truth is that if a product is good, consumers like it. And so it was, after the natural selection of the product on the plant had been affected more by the climatic events than by anything else."

"In recent years", continues the President, "there has been an overproduction which, combined with an unfavorable climate, has not allowed the true characteristics of the Canicattì's Italia grape to develop. As stated above, 2023 was characterized by a reduced production in favor of a fruit of excellent quality, with a bright muscatel taste. The market has reacted very well to the first deliveries of the Italia grapes, causing prices to rise to levels that they haven't seen in many years."

"Our Consortium for 2024 is trying to continue along the path taken in 2023," says Lo Sardo, "with a commitment to highlighting and promoting the PGI product. This year, just a few months after the inauguration of the new Consortium, we organized the Festa della Terra dell'Uva (Land of Grapes Festival) together with important local partners from the world of Sicilian haute cuisine, with the warm support of Chef La Torre, which was an unexpected success. We have also met the appreciation of associations and consumers by participating in various charity events. For the coming year, there are many projects; first of all, participation in Fruit Logistica in Berlin, followed by prestigious initiatives that we will unveil along the way. In the hope that 2024 will be as fruitful as the previous year, the Consorzio Canicatti IGP wishes all FreshPlaza readers a prosperous 2024.