DUTIES: BOTTEGA (PROSECCO), 'READ AN AGREEMENT ON 10% NOW OR UNSUSTAINABLE DAMAGES FOR BUSINESSES'

Direction seen with optimism by Sandro Bottega, wine entrepreneur at the head of the historic company Bottega SpA of Bibano di Godega (TV) , one of the leaders in Italy for the production of Prosecco: «The situation is becoming increasingly complicated on the international scene, but with a glimmer of light in sight of an agreement between the EU and the USA on duties. If there is an agreement at 10%, we could ultimately consider it positively. Above that, however, the damage would be very significant. There will certainly be repercussions with a drop in sales, but above all, relationships will deteriorate at all levels. For us at the moment the cost of duties is almost €100,000 in 3 months, and obviously we cannot suffer it for long, especially with the threat of the large American groups to delist the products if we do not take on this 10%. The problem is that we don't have a 10% margin and so sooner or later, either the American consumer will agree to pay a little more, or we will be forced to delist the products."
Regarding the escalation of the war in the Middle East, Sandro Bottega comments: «The extension of the war brings distrust to the markets, a reduction in optimism in general and a lower propensity to travel. We have decided since 2022 to insert the banner "Bottega supports democracy and repudiates war and dictatorships" on the homepage of our site, in order to give a message of moral commitment that can also be an invitation for public opinion».