In total, five varieties of tomatoes are eligible for the PGI. They are grown on 370 hectares of land in the south-east of Sicily, concentrated in the town of Pachino (SR). About 10 million kg of certified produce is produced annually. Allowed varieties are: cherries, smooth roundish tomatoes (so-called cluster tomatoes), ribbed tomatoes, plums and miniplums. The quality of production and the quantities marketed are accompanied by national and international promotional activities.
The official moment of the philatelic cancellation, with the postmark. From left to right: Chiara Giallonardo, Annalisa De Luca, Giuseppe Gambuzza, Roberta Sarrantonio, Sebastiano Fortunato and Giuseppe Giuffrida
The Consortium for the Protection and Promotion of the PGI Pachino Tomato, which, thanks to the efforts of its President Sebastiano Fortunato and the Board of Directors, has obtained the issue of a special postage stamp, is not slowing down in its marketing activities. On 6 September 2024, a ceremony was held in Pachino for the presentation of the stamp by the Italian Post Office and the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy (MiMit). The stamp, which is part of Poste Italiane's 'Excellence of the Production and Economic System' series, is part of the Ministry's 2024 stamp programme.
The official launch of the new stamp, with a print run of over 250,000 copies, took place in the presence of Sebastiano Fortunato (President of the Consorzio di Tutela della Pomodoro di Pachino PGI), Roberta Sarrantonio (Poste Italiane), Giuseppe Giuffrida (Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy), Annalisa De Luca (State Mint and Polygraphic Institute) and the Mayor of Pachino, Giuseppe Gambuzza. The event was hosted by RAI journalist and presenter Chiara Giallonardo.
Cutting of the cake depicting the stamp in the presence of the authorities and the Board of Directors of the Consortium
"This prestigious award," he said, "is going to add to the splendour of Sicily's 'Red Gold' and, ideally, bring it to the cities of Italy and the world."
Sebastiano Fortunato
The stamp will travel around the world and will be a tool for promoting the product. This stamp will increase the visibility of the Pachino PGI tomato.
The project has a double meaning: on the one hand, the stamp has been created by the artists of the Centro Filatelico dell'Officina Cartevalori dell'Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato and is therefore an artistic masterpiece in miniature; on the other hand, the artistic theme is a tribute to the quality of Italian production.
Features of the stamp
The design (on the right) depicts a branch of Pachino tomatoes ripening under the Sicilian sun, with a freshly blooming flower attracting a bee. At the top, on the left and right respectively, are the logo of the Consortium for the Protection of the Protected Geographical Indication 'Pomodoro di Pachino' and the European Union's PGI quality mark. This Sicilian fruit and vegetable product, highly appreciated in Italy and abroad, takes its name from Pachino, the production area in the province of Syracuse. The stamp is completed by the words 'Italia' and the tariff code 'B'.
For more information:
Sebastiano Fortunato
Consorzio di Tutela Pomodoro di Pachino Igp 
Via Milano, 2
96018 Pachino (SR)
Tel.: +39 0931 595106
Email: [email protected]
www.igppachino.it