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The four-day trade and visitor fair Vinitaly in Verona ended with a record number of visitors: Around 128,000 visitors came from 142 countries, of which around 30,000 were buyers, the fair announced. It counted 4270 exhibiting companies from 30 countries. In addition, the fair had a much more international character than in previous years: The number of wineries that did not come from Italy increased by 74 per cent compared to 2016. A total of 48,000 visitors from abroad came to the fair. The number of trade visitors from China, Brazil and Russia increased particularly strongly. For the first time, guests from Panama and Senegal also came.
In addition to the trade fair programme with many presentations and events, more than 35,000 visitors came to the old town of Verona and to Bardolino for tastings and culinary offers. According to the organiser Veronafiere, Vinitaly is thus positioning itself as the "most important wine and spirits fair". Many politicians also came to Verona, such as the Italian Minister of Agriculture Maurizio Martina, the EU Commissioner for Agriculture Phil Hogan, the Ministers of Agriculture from Malta and Poland as well as the Russian Deputy Minister of Agriculture.
The possible threat of import tariffs to the USA and the consequences of Brexit were frequently debated in the expert talks and panel discussions.
The next Vinitaly will take place next year from 15 to 18 April.
(uka / Photo: Ennevi)