© OPI SICULA O.P. SOC. COOP. AGR.
The Sicilian table grape sector is experiencing a positive period, with high-quality grapes boasting a high sugar content of between 16 and 18 Brix for traditional grapes and between 18 and 22 Brix for seedless grapes. The timing of harvesting operations is crucial to ensure the sweetness and quality of the berries. The current campaign is favourable in terms of both volumes and yields. Consumption is satisfactory, and prices, which are at least 10% higher than the previous year, are due to the limited availability of other fruits on the market and to the high quality of the grapes themselves, which are much appreciated by consumers. Domenico Fisicaro and Sammy Fisicaro, presidents of OPI Sicula, report a positive trend.
The OPI Sicula Cooperative was set up thanks to the spontaneous initiative of several farms in eastern Sicily, which chose to gather to assert themselves in an increasingly large and competitive market. Today, the cooperative boasts 112 members, including 70 companies and 14 agricultural associations, managing a total of around 745 hectares of cultivated areas. The leading products include citrus fruits and table grapes, with many companies located in the area of the PGI table grapes from Mazzarrone, which is equipped with certifications and modern facilities that ensure sustainable production. OPI Sicula stands out as a bottom-up participatory model that values the skills and experience of all producers. In recent years, the Producer Organisation (PO) has implemented numerous strategies that have successfully increased the economic value of the product, generating significant positive spill-over effects on the territory. Today, the brand is recognised for the quality of the fruit even beyond national borders.
© OPI SICULA O.P. SOC. COOP. AGR.Carmelo Giarracca
Carmelo Giarracca, agronomist and vice-president of OPI Sicula, explains that: "The most popular variety on the markets is Victoria, although many facilities are in the process of converting to seedless grapes, given their extraordinary demand. Among the seedless varieties, Arra 30 (Arra Sugar Drop) is the preferred one. It is available on the market from mid-May to the end of August, and it is very popular despite being offered at higher prices than traditional grapes."
© OPI SICULA O.P. SOC. COOP. AGR. Victoria Grapes
As for the Victoria variety, some rain and high humidity over the past month and a half have made plants vulnerable to downy mildew and powdery mildew attacks. The objective is to guarantee a healthy product suitable for the markets of the various European countries. Phytosanitary problems are being contained by shortening the interval between treatments and alternating the administration of molecules, in order to fall within the permitted residue parameters set by the big retail trade.
© OPI SICULA O.P. SOC. COOP. AGR.
Sammy Fisicaro adds that: "A large part of the industry believes that Arra 30 could become a worthy successor to Victoria in the years to come. Among its characteristics are the greater consistency of the berries, which are firm and crunchy, and the ability to offer new flavours (fruity, tropical, exotic) that capture the palate of the most demanding consumers. From an agronomic point of view, the phytosanitary problems resulting from a rainy winter are being addressed, but the season also brought some benefit to the plants."
© OPI SICULA O.P. SOC. COOP. AGR.
Domenico Fisicaro concludes by saying that: "The table grape segment is going through a major shift, with consumers increasingly preferring seedless varieties. Consequently, OPI Sicula is also adapting to guarantee these productions. The market seeks them not only due to their flavour, but also because, on a production level, they are resistant to the increasingly frequent plant diseases and climatic stresses, and therefore do not require special agronomic interventions in the delicate production phases. Their resistance during long transports is just as important. The international market is showing growing expectations and increasingly specific requirements. For this reason, it is essential to adopt strategic planning combined with reliable and efficient forms of aggregation in order to anticipate changes and consciously face future challenges."
© OPI SICULA O.P. SOC. COOP. AGR.Grape Arra 30
For more information:
Semmy Fisicaro
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]
www.opusicula.it
