Syracuse Lemon PGI Consortium reports significant production growth
The Consortium for the Protection of Syracuse Lemon PGI has announced substantial increases in both production volume and consumer value for the 2022-2023 period, despite ongoing market challenges. The group has launched the EU-funded LemON project to boost exports to Poland and Romania, aiming to reach over 34 million potential consumers by March 2027.
Sicily’s Syracuse PGI Lemon production increased by 28.7% between 2022 and 2023, with consumer value rising by 16.7%, according to the latest Ismea-Qualivita 2024 Report on Italian PDO, PGI and TSG food and wine production. These figures represent a notable achievement for the sector, particularly given current market challenges.
Production factors driving growth
The substantial production increase likely stems from a combination of favourable climatic conditions, investment in sustainable cultivation techniques, and enhanced focus on product quality. The Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) mark has proven valuable in differentiating the product in competitive markets, emphasising certified origin and superior organoleptic characteristics compared to imported alternatives.
Sicily now ranks second in Italy for the number of PDO and PGI products, following only Emilia Romagna. The Consortium has played a fundamental role beyond quality assurance, taking strategic action in product promotion and brand identity reinforcement.
“The increase in marketed volumes, in a complex market context, proves that the Consortium’s actions are going in the right direction,” states the report. Consumer education initiatives focusing on traceability, certified origin and environmentally responsible cultivation methods appear to be generating increased market awareness.
Export strategy and EU funding
Despite domestic growth, export figures for Syracuse PGI Lemon remain modest. The European LemON project, launched to address this limitation, is co-financed by the European Union and coordinated by CSO Italy, operating across Italy, Poland and Romania.
The three-year initiative, titled “LemON project – Syracuse Lemon PGI: capture the essence of Sicily!” aims to communicate with more than 22 million purchase managers in Italy and 11 million
young consumers and traders in Poland and Romania by March 2027. Project organisers anticipate this will generate increased consumption equating to additional sales exceeding 5 million euro.
Regional significance in European markets
The Syracuse Lemon PGI represents 100% of the certified product from a region that contributes 32% of Italian lemon production. Italy ranks second in European lemon production volume, after Spain.
The Consortium emphasises that production regulations ensure consistent quality, while traditional cultivation methods enhance the product’s market positioning. Their communication strategy links European production excellence with environmental sustainability and food waste reduction initiatives.
Consortium profile and market representation
Formed on 13 July 2000, the Consorzio di Tutela del Limone di Siracusa IGP comprises 163 consortium members, including 130 producers, 60 packers, 36 users and 62 ambassadors. The consortium’s operational area spans 1,450.91 hectares and produces approximately 3% of Italy’s total lemon output.
The organisation’s responsibilities include defining protected production areas and varieties, supervising correct usage of the “Limone di Siracusa IGP” designation in both production regions and markets, and implementing promotional initiatives domestically and internationally.
The European LemON project represents a significant opportunity for market expansion, potentially transforming the consortium’s export performance while maintaining the product’s distinctive quality characteristics and regional identity.
For more information, visit:
https://www.limonedisiracusaigp.com
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