Wine, 93 million for promotion abroad on the way

The go-ahead is given for 93 million euros for the promotion of Italian wine abroad, particularly in non-EU markets. In fact, the new call for proposals for the 2024-25 wine promotion campaign using CMO (Common Market Organisation) funds was presented today, 3 May, at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. A measure much awaited by producers, particularly this year after the difficulties experienced in 2023 precisely on foreign markets.

The total budget will be 93 million to co-finance projects at 50 per cent. Of the total budget, 22 million will be dedicated to the ranking of national projects and managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, while another 71 million will be managed by the regions, which will issue their own regional calls for proposals.

"We had said it and we did it even earlier than expected,' commented the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida. 'At the beginning we were faced with cumbersome mechanisms that needed to be sorted out, but now we have a clear idea of how to proceed and we are moving towards a greater valorisation of wine exports. Right from the start, investing in companies has been a priority for the Meloni government and this is demonstrated by the various support activities and promotion initiatives that we have put in place. With this new notice on Promotion in third country markets of the Wine CMO, we have sought the best way to valorise exports and, also for this, involved all operators and the trade fair system".
"We consider wine," added Lollobrigida, "as one of the main resources for the economic sector of the nation. But not only that, it is considered an Italian excellence, appreciated and sought after all over the world, as well as a symbol of our culture and tradition'.

The notice issued by the ministry has the objective of improving the competitiveness of the wine sector through the opening, diversification and consolidation of markets in foreign countries and is aimed at both wine producers and their organisations and associations.

In particular, a non-repayable contribution of up to 50% of the costs incurred, promotion and advertising activities, information campaigns, participation in events, fairs and exhibitions of international importance, and further promotional activities will be financed.