Sector heralds success of recent inspections of production and packing facilities in Apulia
Exports of Italian table grapes to Thailand could begin from next year following a visit by Thai phytosanitary authorities to production and packing facilities in Apulia.
CSO Italy – who coordinated the visit – said it marked a crucial step toward the opening of the Thai market for Italian table grapes. The initiative is part of a collaboration between CSO Italy, CUT, Fruitimprese/APEO, supply chain companies, and the regional and national phytosanitary services.
During the three-day mission, inspectors visited Agricoper, OP Giuliano, and SOP, verifying the procedures adopted throughout the production chain.
The delegation said it was impressed by the companies’ high quality and organisational standards, traceability systems, phytosanitary controls, and preservation and cold treatment procedures implemented to control the Mediterranean fruit fly.
The visit to the LUV trade fair in Bari also provided an important opportunity for in-depth discussions and discussions with industry professionals.
From a technical standpoint, both parties said the export conditions have been substantially defined. Some administrative steps remain to be completed by the Thai authorities, who have expressed their willingness to expedite the authorisation process.
CSO Italy director Elisa Macchi commented: “With a national production close to 1mn tonnes, Italian table grapes have been revitalised thanks to new cultivars, even among younger consumers.
“Domestic consumption is expected to grow 12 per cent in 2025, while abroad, it remains primarily destined for European markets. It is now essential to diversify our outlet markets, strengthen the sector’s competitiveness, and leverage the teamwork that made this result possible. We applaud the teamwork behind this initiative”.
Giacomo Suglia, vice president of Fruitimprese and president of Apeo, added: “Italy is Europe’s leading table grape producer and among the top five in the world. We must leverage this leadership by opening new markets, creating opportunities for businesses, and protecting employment. The quality, safety, and sustainability of our production are a strong point on international markets, and we are the only ones able to offer both seeded and seedless grapes”.
Massimiliano Del Core, president of the Italian Table Grape Commission, said opening new markets is a priority of the strategy that CUT has launched with CSO Italy.
“We are working together on two fronts: better analysing the sector’s production potential, through the creation and updating of the varietal register, and overcoming the phytosanitary barriers that limit exports, thus opening new markets,” he noted.
“This year, the unblocking of exports to South Africa and the visit of Thai inspectors were important achievements in this direction.”
