Mar. 6 – “Vinitaly isn’t just a trade fair, but an effective system and platform.” And this platform is ready to commence its activities for April 6-9, when global buyers will come together to discuss internationalization, exports, bio-products and training programs. This year’s themes were announced today by the Veronafiere President and Vinitaly patron Riello. Vinitaly attracts on average 50.000 operators from 120 countries per year, and all spots are sold-out for this year’s edition. Based on the double development track of internationalization and organic agriculture, Vinitaly is introducing for the first time Vininternational, International Buyers’ Lounge and Vinitalybio. Riello also presented interesting data on wineries. Indeed, 40% of the total are companies established in the new millennium (for a 15% increase in the past four years). Of these, 10% is led by a young entrepreneur (under 40). In 2013, Italy produced 47,4 million hectoliters of wine, for a 15% increase over 2012. The result was achieved by the 380.000 companies of the sector (counting for 23% of the whole agricultural sector) and its 700.000 operators. The Veronafiere president also stressed the importance of fighting counterfeit labeling and italiansounding products, “which have a market share that is double that of Italy’s certified trade. Hence, concerted action against counterfeit and fake products could triple our exports.” This year’s edition of Vinitaly also looks at Expo2015 in Milan, “given the need to face the global market and and increase our ability set policies and production schemes able to feed the growing population.”