Sicily's table grape segment is starting to get ready for the next season, and so is the area protected by the PGI mark. Fruits are growing and millerandage has started. However, after a terrible 2022 season, how is the next campaign looking?
FreshPlaza has talked about it with Gianni Raniolo, the president of Consorzio di Tutela dell'Uva da Tavola di Mazzarrone IGP.
Gianni Raniolo in a photo taken a few days ago.
"The next table grape season will be around one week early than last year, as harvesting is envisaged to start on May 15th/20th. We will harvest the Black Magic and Victoria variety. Of course we are talking about early greenhouse productions, of which we are expecting 20-30% less than the standard volume. Unfortunately there have not been enough chill hours, so a few buds are late. Quality is anyway excellent and we are expecting a satisfactory crop."
"In early June we will start instead with red and white seedless varieties, with which we did not experience any problem. Production is abundant and we will be able to guarantee constant supplies to our clients all over Europe and beyond."
"Everyone knows the past campaign was very bad for our segment. The Sicily Region listened to our numerous pleas and declared the state of crisis for the two Canicattì and Mazzarrone PGI areas. We are hoping suitable measures will be taken soon. Having said this, the territories still have to deal with considerable losses and companies are finding themselves in dire straits. Unfortunately this will have an effect on the overall production, which will be lower also due to various businesses uprooting their older vineyards. The focus is mainly on the more recent vineyards, aiming to maximize quality performance. Great importance is given to varietal innovation, especially when it comes to seedless grapes. If it's true that crises lead to new occasions, these difficult moments have definitely led to new seedless varieties."
For further information: 
Giovanni Raniolo
Consorzio di Tutela
dell'Uva da Tavola
di Mazzarrone Igp
+39 335 1033575
[email protected]
https://www.uvadimazzarroneigp.it