The Sicilian municipality of Mazzarrone (CT) played host to an important visit by a Chinese delegation interested in the area's varietal diversity. Not so much in the already well-known varieties, such as the Italia grape, which is appreciated in China and used to be grown in large quantities in Sicily in the past, but mainly in the new varieties that could also do well in the Chinese market.
The Chinese delegation, together with growers from the growers' association OP Opas
Although China has a population of 1.412 billion, the consumer group with potential interest in European fruit and vegetables is estimated at 163 million, namely those with middle- to high-income. In the coming years, that share is set to grow significantly.
Jun Liu pictured between a cluster of 'Opas1' on the left and a cluster of 'Victoria' on the right
The delegation included leading figures in China's grape industry: Jun Liu (researcher of the Hebei Academy of Forestry and Grassland Sciences, chairman of the grape department at the China Association of Agricultural Science Societies and president of the Hebei Grape and Wine Society); He Zhang (researcher of Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences and secretary-general of the grape department at the China Association of Agricultural Science Societies); Jingchuan Li (researcher from Hebei Academy of Forestry and Grassland Sciences, deputy secretary-general of grape department at China Association of Agricultural Science Societies and vice-president and secretary-general of Hebei Grape and Wine Society); Yunjun Chang (director of Shandong Grape Research Institute); Liu Yan (interpreter).
Yunjun Chang observes a bunch of a pre-commercial grape variety
The Chinese experts, accompanied in Italy by Antonio Ruffo, director of Fruitgrowing Equipment and Service Srl, were received by the growers' association Opas and its producers. Nunzio Busacca, president of Opas, made sure to mention the fruitful dialogue that took place, focused on mutual cooperation and based on genuine friendship.
The focus was on science-related discussions and variety innovation, also because the protocols for exporting Italian grapes to China are not yet in place. Even if such exports are currently on hold, this first meeting was a success for the Chinese delegation, as the Italian growers' association, through the Innovitis project, has recently launched no less than six new varieties at pre-commercial level, as well as a seventh, Opas 1, which the Asian experts were able to see with their own eyes in the vineyard. It is a medium-early variety, with a fairly harmonious cluster and elongated, large and seedless grapes. The flavour is very aromatic and the grape is crisp. All characteristics that Jun Liu defined as "interesting for the Chinese market and the global market in general".
Detail of the Opas 1 variety
Some very early varieties could no longer be seen on the vines but had been stored for the occasion. They are varieties that will also be studied under different soil and climatic conditions from those in Sicily, such as in China. In that sense, they could be very useful for both parties.
A moment during the visit to Opas' experimental garden
Members of the Chinese team said they were satisfied with the hospitality and with the conditions created for a future collaboration, with a likely return visit to Shandong in China.
For more information:
OP Opas
Via Botteghelle, 65/B
95040 - Mazzarrone (CT) – Italy
+39 3929554408
[email protected]
www.opas-sicilia.it
