Wanted in Rome
4,000 companies, 58 editions, one final day The 58th edition of Vinitaly draws to a close in Verona today, Wednesday 15 April, wrapping up four days that positioned Veronafiere once again as the international hub of the global wine business. Nearly 4,000 Italian companies were present across the fully occupied exhibition centre, representing every region of the country, while over 100 official events took place alongside the main fair floor. The edition opened with a clear strategic message: the domestic export base is too narrow, currently concentrated in just five markets that account for 60 percent of total value, and the industry must expand into 12 high-potential countries identified by the UIV-Vinitaly observatory as the next frontier. These include Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and India. The political dimension of this edition was unusually visible, with senior figures from across the spectrum passing through the Veronafiere pavilions. The ceremony was attended by the president of the Chamber Lorenzo Fontana, and ministers Tajani, Lollobrigida, Urso and Giuli. President Meloni was also present and spoke from the fair floor on Tuesday, making international headlines by defending Pope Leone against Trump's attacks in the process. Emilia-Romagna presented a strengthened position at this edition, with 90 exhibitors, a 13 percent increase on 2025, and a renewed pavilion inaugurated by regional president Michele de Pascale, starred chefs Carlo Cracco and Massimo Bottura, and television personality Simona Ventura. The region's wine sector numbers over 14,000 companies and a production area exceeding 52,000 hectares, placing it fifth nationally. The export ambition comes against a challenging backdrop. Italian wine exports are valued at 7.2 billion euros, placing the sector second only to engineering in Italy's commercial surplus. Tariff pressure from the United States and energy costs linked to the Hormuz crisis have added new urgency to the push for market diversification, and several producers on the fair floor this week spoke of the need to reduce dependence on the American market, which has already shown signs of softening under the current trade environment. The Vinitaly USA operation will relocate from Chicago to New York, underscoring how central the American market remains despite those tensions.
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