Sicily’s Wine Sector Surpasses €75 Million in Spending, Shattering Previous Records

Sicily has achieved a record year in wine sector spending, according to data released at the close of the 2025 financial year for the OCM Vino program. The total expenditure on the three active measures of the National Wine Support Plan—investments, vineyard restructuring and conversion, and promotion in non-EU countries—exceeded 75 million euros. This figure is significantly higher than the initial allocation of about 52.5 million euros assigned to Sicily by Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

Regional Agriculture Councilor Luca Sammartino described this as an unprecedented result, stating that it surpasses all previous financial years. He credited the achievement to careful and bold management of FEAGA resources by the directors of the S2.03-Viticulture and Enology operational unit. Their work allowed Sicily to secure and fully use approximately 23 million euros in unspent funds from other regions, which were redirected to benefit Sicilian wine businesses.

The OCM Vino program is part of the European Union’s Common Market Organization for wine, designed to support investments, improve vineyard structures, and promote European wines abroad. For Sicily, these funds have been crucial in supporting local producers and increasing the region’s competitiveness in international markets.

In recent days, the regional Department of Agriculture published the final list of companies admitted to receive contributions under the OCM Vino call for proposals for the “Promotion of Wines in Third Country Markets” measure for the 2025/2026 campaign. Twelve projects were approved, with a public contribution rate set at 50 percent. More than 4.3 million euros will be distributed among participating Sicilian wineries.

Councilor Sammartino emphasized that supporting local businesses remains a priority for the regional government led by President Renato Schifani. He said that these efforts aim to raise awareness of Sicilian wine products and further boost their competitiveness on a global scale.

The record spending comes at a time when Sicily’s wine sector continues to grow in both production quality and international recognition. The additional funding has enabled more companies to invest in modernization, restructure vineyards, and expand promotional activities abroad. This is expected to have a positive impact on employment and economic development across rural areas of Sicily.

The results highlight Sicily’s leading position within Italy for its ability to attract and efficiently use national and European funds dedicated to viticulture. The region’s success is seen as a model for other Italian wine-producing areas seeking to maximize their use of available resources.

The announcement was made public through official channels, including the website of the Sicilian Regional Department of Agriculture, where details about the approved projects and funding allocations are available for consultation by industry stakeholders and citizens alike.

As the new campaign begins, Sicilian wine producers are preparing to implement their funded projects, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and expanding their presence in key international markets such as North America and Asia. The regional government has reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards in fund management and supporting further growth in one of Sicily’s most important agricultural sectors.