"This is an important historical moment, one that we have been waiting for in recent weeks and have been watching with interest. The next steps are those that will lead the designer, in agreement with the authorities, to address the necessary interventions to improve the facility, in agreement with the operators and the agricultural sector," said the CEO of the Vittoria Mercati, Carmelo Diquattro.
"The measures involve the canopies in front of the pits, the restoration of the asphalt, the re-roofing of the roofs, which will allow us to eliminate the phenomenon of infiltration during the winter season, up to the reconversion of the lighting system."
Carmelo Diquattro
"We are confident that we will be able to provide concrete solutions to the most important produce market in Italy and beyond. These are activities that we will tackle in synergy with the municipality. These 4 million euros will hopefully open up the way for a tangible development that is responsive to the needs of the sector."
This is a breath of fresh air for the Sicilian market facility, which has been long-awaited for these interventions. The Vittoria Market needs more services, starting with logistical ones that can make loading and unloading of heavy vehicles easier.
The Vittoria Market has an area of 246,000 square meters. Of these, 15,000 are covered. Seventy-four companies work there, with a total of about 1,200 workers and a total turnover exceeding 350 million euros.
The highly specific nature of this production market confers a very particular quality to this commercial facility, which differs from the markets found in the rest of Italy.
Vittoria is the epicenter of production and trade in the southern coastal area of Sicily, focused on intensive greenhouse horticulture, which runs from Licata to Pachino (so-called Fascia trasformata). In particular, medium-small production companies, perhaps less structured, but not less capable of delivering high-quality and product conformity, contribute to this area.
About 200 trucks leave Vittoria daily (and not only from the market) for central and northern Italy; each truck loads 26 pallets of fruit and vegetable references, from tomatoes to courgettes, and from eggplants to peppers.