In the first 12 months of its existence, the Consortium for the Protection of Leonforte's PGI Peach, which represents about 92% of the cultivation of this fruit with Protected Geographical Indication, carried out actions that were mainly promotional. Contacts were made with local and national institutions, including the Consortium of Sicilian Designations of Origin (DOS).
Rita Serafini and Domenico Di Stefano
"We are very proud of what was accomplished in this first year. We have been able to launch promotional actions, establish contacts with the main local and national institutions and monitor the crops," said Rita Serafini, director of the Consortium. "A petition has been prepared for the Ministry of Agriculture and the Region of Sicily in order to change the cultivation specification. This is necessary and urgent because of the effects of climate change. Also, thanks to the periodic meetings we hold in the region to make growers aware of the importance of cooperation, we were able to welcome three new members last March. We have also prepared projects for rollout in the last quarter of 2023 and all of 2024."
President Domenico Di Stefano talked about the role of the consortium for the care and management of the PGI. "I have always considered the role of a consortium as fundamental for the care and management of a protected designation of origin or a protected geographical indication. For our PGI, I envisioned an efficient structure. Thanks to the teamwork with fellow peach growers and the experience and professionalism of director Rita Serafini, we were able to achieve the first beautiful results."
Today, the consortium is a well-known name in the industry. It is an authoritative interlocutor with qualified expertise. Currently, 20 cultivation and packaging companies are members. About 600 tons of peaches are marketed within the consortium, representing a value of more than €1 million.
Leonforte's PGI peach ripens in a protective bag
"Of course, tough challenges await us. First and foremost, water supply, because without water we cannot grow peaches," continued President Di Stefano. "That's why the consortium set up a working group and, thanks to the cooperation of all the institutions involved, we managed to secure water requirements for the 2023 harvest. So we are very satisfied with the work done so far, but this is only the beginning. As an entrepreneur, I am well aware of the importance of maintaining consistent yields and productivity. Therefore, the results achieved so far should serve as encouragement to continue our project of promoting Leonforte's PGI peach."
The average annual harvest of this peach is over 600 tons. 90% of sales take place in Italy, mainly in large supermarket chains, with the bulk of the remaining 10% going to Germany and Dubai. This fruit is grown on plains and hills in the heart of Sicily, between 200 and 1,000 meters above sea level, in the municipalities of Leonforte, Assoro, Agira, Calascibetta and Enna. The acreage of the PGI is 140 hectares.
For more information
Consorzio di Tutela
della Pesca di Leonforte IGP
Via Catania 62
94013 Leonforte (EN)
comunicazione@pescadileonforte.it