A study carried out by Luigia Mirella Campagna, Industry Expert of UniCredit on trends, competitive dynamics and development prospects in the wine sector, and presented at Sicilia en Primeur, certifies Sicily as the 4th Italian region for wine production, with approx. 4,3 million hectoliters (9% of Italian production), of which over 81% is quality wine (PGI 53% + DOP 28%). Data that confirm Sicily's constant growth path, driven by a strongly quality-oriented approach. The region ranks second in Italy – together with Emilia Romagna and after Veneto – for the production of certified wines. In particular, it has 31, of which 24 DOP wines and 7 IGP wines. If we add to these results the fact that Sicily is also in first place for the number of agricultural enterprises led by under 35s, a positive signal emerges from a prospective perspective.
Sicily is the first region for organic vines (24% of the regional total, 29% of the Italian total) with 31k hectares dedicated (to organic vines), and this specialization towards organic farming is not limited to wine since Sicily it is also the first region for agricultural area dedicated to organic farming (c.ca 385k hectares) and consequently first for the number of BIO operators in the agri-food sector (11k).
A driving role for the growth of the sector is also represented by the exports of Sicilian wine which in 2019 see an increase in outlet markets, although exports still remain very concentrated in a few countries: Germany, the UK and the USA represent over 55% of exports.
The UniCredit study also examined the impacts of Covid-19 on the Italian wine sector. The internal market is expected to contract, following the difficulties of the ho.re.ca channel. (hotels, restaurants, bars, wine bars, etc.) and the lower spending power of families. Exports are also expected to contract due to the economic crisis brought about by the current pandemic. The most consistent drops in sales are expected for medium-high and high range wines, sparkling wines, "innovative" wines.
The study also shows that, among the changes that companies are looking to to overcome the current moment, there are the construction and strengthening of proximity value chains, the diversification of outlet markets and sales channels, including of e-commerce, which in this period is revealing great potential.
“Sicilian wine and related industries represent one of the driving sectors for our region and UniCredit, as the main territorial bank, is particularly interested in the sector and its commercial dynamics, and we believe that we should focus on Made in Sicily excellence to successfully overcome the complex moment we are facing": this is how Salvatore Malandrino, Regional Manager Sicily of UniCredit expressed himself, underlining that Unicredit is strongly committed "to offering Sicilian wineries real solutions to respond to every need throughout the production chain and to support them at this time. The current phase of uncertainty will mean that companies will have to adapt to the changes and equip themselves to face a completely new world”.
