Sicilian PGI oil is a unique and inimitable product, the fruit of a land rich in sun, history and tradition. An oil to be savored and appreciated for its intense taste, its Mediterranean scent and its ability to enhance the flavors of Sicilian cuisine. An invitation to discover a precious treasure of the island and live an unforgettable sensory experience.
A new chapter opens for Sicilian olive growing: extra virgin olive oil PGI Sicily climbs to the top of national production, surpassing the Tuscan PGI, historic leader on the Italian scene. An exceptional achievement that fills Sicilian producers with pride and confirms the excellent quality of their products. The numbers speak for themselves: in 2023, the Sicilian olive supply chain has reached a historic milestone, producing one and a half million liters of PGI extra virgin olive oil, thus obtaining the prestigious certification that protects and enhances the denomination. An extraordinary result that rewards the hard work and dedication of the 2,500 Sicilian olive growers who, with passion and competence, cultivate their olive groves and produce excellent oils.
The news of the primacy of Sicilian PGI oil sparked a wave of enthusiasm among the producers present at the event Solthe international olive oil exhibition within the Vinitaly in Verona. An emotion also shared by the regional institutions of the agricultural world, in particular by the Regional Institute of Wine and Oil (Irvo) and by the Regional Agriculture Department, who contributed to achieving this important goal. This record represents a strong sign of encouragement for all those who dedicate themselves to the cultivation of olive trees and the production of oil in Sicily. The PGI Sicilia designation of origin represents a valid tool for protecting and valorising the product, guaranteeing consumers a high quality oil, produced according to a strict specification that preserves its unique characteristics.
Mario Terrasi, president of the PGI Olio Sicilia, expressed great satisfaction with the rapid recognition process started in 2017 and concluded in 2022 with the creation of the protection consortium. He underlined the importance of adhering to the Sicilian PGI and respecting the production specifications as a seal of guarantee for the product. “This achievement – Terrasi said – is the result of the synergistic work of all the players in the supply chain, from producers to processors, from control bodies to institutions. A common commitment that has allowed us to enhance the excellence of Sicilian oil and gain the trust of consumers”.
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This result is also the result of the commitment made by Irvo in recent years to promote Sicilian oil. “Sicilian oil – he stated Gaetano Aprile, director of Irvo – boasts a wealth of olive biodiversity and production specializations which allows it to offer a wide range of very high quality products. Our task is to make the world aware of the distinctive characteristics of Sicilian oils and to enhance their uniqueness”.
The primacy of Sicilian PGI oil represents an important starting point, but also a challenge for the future. Sicilian producers are ready to seize new opportunities and continue to improve the quality of their products, to increasingly establish Sicilian oil as Italian excellence in the world.
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