Over 1000 top buyers from 68 countries, +43% over 2022. Vinitaly with a smarter and increasingly business-like format.
Vinitaly is preparing to record, for the 55th edition at VeronaFiere from 2 to 5 April. A record number of top buyers was selected. To date, in fact, there are more than 1,000 foreign buyers of Italian wine from 68 countries already accredited: +43% compared to 2022, from the USA to Africa, Asia – with the great return of China and Japan – Central and South America through to Europe in all its diversity. This is a figure that will increase the total international business panel at the fair over the four days of the event and that, according to projections, should exceed the 2022 Vinitaly final balance.
“The road to growth in the sector is increasingly through exports,” explains the CEO of Veronafiere SpA, Maurizio Danese, “An export that in the last 10 years sees wine among the Made in Italy sectors with the highest growth rate and an increasingly decisive trade balance for the Italian system”.
There is great expectation for the return of China, which, after lockdowns and prolonged bans, is ready to regain its status as an emerging giant. A selection, made by VeronaFiere’s operative headquarters in Shanghai together with the joint venture offices in Shenzhen, that will bring to Vinitaly 130 purchasing managers including the top twenty national importers.
With a full and fully-fledged business district, Vinitaly 2023 is also moving towards changing its organisational model. This is the direction taken by the decision to hold a Vinitaly Opening Ceremony in a smart key (2 April at 11.00) so as not to get in the way of the agendas of the more than 4,000 wineries in the Exhibition Centre, as well as the decision not to include the traditional gala dinner in the schedule of Vinitaly institutional appointments. This choice marks a change of pace compared to the past and aims to privilege events in line with Vinitaly’s business mission.
The distinction between trade fair operators and wine lovers also continues. Vinitaly and the City is dedicated to the latter, the itinerary of wine talks, tastings, exhibitions and off-show events in the most representative venues in the UNESCO Heritage city: Piazza dei Signori, Cortile Mercato Vecchio and Cortile del Tribunale. Scheduled 31 March – 3 April, Vinitaly and the City is organised by Veronafiere with the collaboration of Verona City Council, Verona Province and Fondazione Cariverona.
Photo credit: ©Veronafiere-Ennevifoto