Mario D'Amico

Profitability of wine grape growing in the EU member states

The aim of this work is to examine the profitability of European Union wine grape growing by comparing some economic indicators extrapolated from information in the Farm Accountancy Data Network, data banks already widely used to analyse the income of European agricultural holdings. The results show that in recent years the profitability of European wine grape growing has grown overall, but to overcome the current economic crisis and face the challenge of “New World” wine producers, it is necessary to make an effort towards public intervention to increase the profitability of wine farms. In this context, the new reform of wine Common Market Organisation (2008) and new Common Agricultural Policy (2007–2013) aimed at improving the profitability of wine grape growing by reducing production costs, increasing added value of wine, promoting the participation of farmers in food quality schemes, etc.

Standard output versus standard gross margin, a new paradigm in the EU farm economic typology: what are the implications for wine-grape growers?

A new farm economic typology has recently been introduced in the EU. This study compares the economic performance of wine-grape growers in four important quality wine areas of Sicily taking into account the different EU economic typology standards of standard gross margin (the old method) and standard output (the new method). The objective of this study is to identify the differences between the two methods and to ascertain the potential implications for small wine-grape growers’ profitability and their access to public support. We seek to determine whether restrictions can be identified that limit the potential benefits from rural development policies. For this purpose, we applied the economic criteria of the EU to a representative sample of Sicilian wine-grape growers in order to compare the economic profitability of wine-grape farms in protected designation of origin areas. This comparative approach has allowed us to categorize the economic size of the sample in accordance with recent EU modifications and discuss the possible impacts that the adoption of the new economic criteria would have on access to the Rural Development Programme measures for wine-grape growers.

Analisi economico-gestionale del comparto vinicolo siciliano attraverso indici di bilancio

Sicily is the fourth biggest wine producing region in Italy; a total vineyard area of 125,000 hectares produces an annual average of around 6 million hectolitres. However, in recent years, the international economic crisis has also hit the island’s economy, slowing down the economic performance of the whole regional wine industry. The aim of this paper is to analyse the wine industry sector in Sicily, taking into account its economic and managerial outlook, by means of an evaluation of financial ratios (2008-2009) of wine-producing businesses. In particular, an analysis using balance sheet ratios has been carried out in order to evaluate both effectiveness and efficiency in the sector.

Valutazione economica del paesaggio agrario degli "Ulivi secolari" nel territorio di Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG)

Valutazione economica del paesaggio agrario degli “Ulivi secolari” nel territorio di Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG)