© COLLERONI"The growing interest in Sicilian grapes is a reality confirmed by the extraordinary market demand. The traditional grape varieties Victoria and Black Magic opened the campaign, and currently boast an average sugar content of 14/15° Brix. The new seedless variety Arra 30 (Arra Sugar Drop), with 16/21° brix, will be on the market from mid-May to the end of September," reports Domenico Fisicaro and Sammy Fisicaro (pictured here on the side), president of OPI Sicula.
"The table grape market has been evolving in recent years, and the new seedless varieties are becoming predominant in most countries thanks to consumer demand."
OPI Sicula was founded ten years ago with its headquarters in Mazzarrone (CT). The cooperative was set up thanks to the tenacity of several farms in eastern Sicily, which wanted to unite and create a network in an increasingly large and competitive market. It is a participative model, which started on the spontaneous initiative of the producers themselves. Today, the organisation has 84 members: 70 companies and 14 agricultural businesses, covering an area of around 745 hectares. Many member companies are located in the Mazzarrone Table Grape PGI area. They boast certifications and state-of-the-art facilities that guarantee sustainable production. The combination of different life and professional skills and experiences is a distinctive feature of the cooperative.
© OPI SICULA O.P. SOC. COOP. AGR.
"We will have to wait a few more days to see greater volumes on the market. In general, the 2025 campaign seems to be characterised by decent yields," explains Carmelo Giarracca, vice president of Opi Sicula. On the current situation and the characteristics of Sicilian grapes, Sammy Fisicaro adds that: "The specificity of Sicilian grapes is that they arrive on the markets well in advance compared to other countries, thanks to favourable weather conditions and greenhouse cultivation. Although we are talking about selected grapes, the high degree of specialisation in the field, supported by expert agronomists, allows us to cultivate a large variety of fine grapes with environmentally-friendly and low-impact techniques."
© OPI SICULA O.P. SOC. COOP. AGR.
Today, specialised grape growing areas such as Mazzarrone are oriented towards early seedless varieties. The market certainly also demands them for their good taste. Moreover, on a more specifically productive level, these are varieties that are resistant to the increasingly frequent plant diseases and climatic stresses, and therefore do not require any special agronomic intervention in the delicate production phases.
© OPI SICULA O.P. SOC. COOP. AGR.
ARRA Sugar Drop is becoming widely established in the large-scale retail trade and on the market, with requests always on the rise. Over 2000 hectares of ARRA grapes have been licensed by AVI throughout Europe so far. Italy is the country with the largest area, and ARRA 30 is the most cultivated variety. Much of the industry claims that this grape can be a worthy heir to Victoria. Among its characteristics, we find a greater consistency of the berries, which are firm and crisp. Its new flavour (fruity, tropical, exotic) captures the palate of discerning consumers.
"Traditional grape varieties are more in demand in the Italian general markets. Large retailers, especially foreign ones, prefer seedless grapes because consumers, both in Italy and abroad, respond well to this innovation. Seedless grapes are also popular thanks to the greater consistency of the berries, a characteristic that allows high resistance during transport. The earliness of table grapes grown in Sicily represents a significant competitive advantage, as it allows them to anticipate the production of other geographical areas, such as Egypt and Southern Europe, positioning them in a niche market."
© OPI SICULA O.P. SOC. COOP. AGR.
"Unfortunately, among the negative notes, we must point out the rampant theft in the countryside, right in the period when the grapes ripen. Despite active surveillance both during the day and at night, it is often impossible to secure the bunches due to the extent of the cultivated areas. The most affected varieties are mainly seedless ones, which fetch higher commercial prices, although thefts of traditional cultivars are also recorded. In order to prevent the looting of the vineyards, we are making appeals to the competent authorities to support us in curbing a phenomenon that requires continuous and targeted controls," concludes Mimmo Fisicaro.
For more information:
OPI Sicula O.P. Soc. Coop. Agr.
Head office: C/da Pezzagrande sn
96013 Pedagaggi - Carlentini (SR)
Head office: Viale del lavoro, 5
95040 Mazzarrone (CT)
+39 333 2049786 / +39 333 3211296
[email protected]
