It is not only the green transition and sustainability that impose objective additional costs (which should be spread across the entire supply chain), but also the typicality and uniqueness of the Italian product which, in addition to having higher labor costs than other countries, has a care of cultivation that allows the exceptional nature of our quality. The reduction - at European level - of part of the duties from third countries where the regulations are less stringent, labor costs less, attention for quality crops is different, represents a further burden especially for small agricultural companies", declares Sandro Bottega, President of Bottega SpA , the Venetian wine company from Bibano (Treviso) which exports prosecco to 150 countries around the world.
«But above all what is missing - continues Bottega - is an ability to valorise the product in such a way as to recognize its value, the quality level, the difference compared to other similar products and this must be done in different ways: from valorising the denomination of origin to the choice of the market where to place the product, from packaging to labelling, from communication to distribution differentiation".
Sandro Bottega adds: «Collaboration between small producers must also be supported, who can join forces, have greater bargaining power, alternative distribution systems up to the local markets, which - in this way - can reach consumers with mutual satisfaction both in terms of quality and price".
The President of Bottega SpA then closes by referring to his sector, the wine sector, giving some advice: «With regards to the world of wine it is necessary to carefully monitor the quality, together with sustainability, with targeted investments in the vineyard and in the cellar, and enhance the perception of it by the of the market. From this perspective, Bottega combines the grapes grown in its own vineyards with those purchased from many small suppliers, which meet the company's qualitative needs. In doing so, we offer support and continuity to small production companies, which often also have their own agricultural identity", concludes Sandro Bottega.
