About fifteen companies, an annual production of almost 330 thousand kilos, a total turnover of n million and about eighty employees. These are some of the numbers of the PGI Modica Chocolate, already included in the list of products with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) which has now taken a further step forward with the recognition by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Consortium for the Protection of Modica Chocolate : «The reputation of the PGI Modica Chocolate is strengthened on the national and international market and even more effective protection of its production chain is guaranteed, helping to enhance the territory and support small local businesses» explain the ministry.
And it is, therefore, a further step for a sector that, in the town in the province of Ragusa , is destined to be increasingly driving: today almost five million bars are produced (there were 400 thousand in 2015). In the meantime, the valorization of what was the first PGI chocolate in Europe is being strengthened, especially in the fight against counterfeiting: «In particular in online sales: the abuse of the denomination in processed products is significant – says the director of the Consortium Nino Scivoletto -. Modica chocolate is in fact used in leavened products, ice creams, creams and so on. From now on, the Consortium will issue the authorizations and monitor the correct use of the denomination ».
On December 16 , in Rome, the digital passport for Modica chocolate will be presented, created by the partnership between Poligrafico and the State Mint, CSQA Certificazioni and Fondazione Qualivita, which the Protection Consortium has joined: it includes a personalized mark with graphics that evoke the specificity of the product and created with security elements attributable to the printing of banknote paper.
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Source: Il Sole 24 Ore