Origin designation and profitability for small wine grape growers: evidence from a comparative study

The concept of profitability has been widely debated in the international scientific economic community but there are few studies which contribute to connecting the profitability of micro and small agro-food holdings in PDO or PGI areas with their ability to stay afloat in a competitive market. This study compares the economic results of quality wine grape producers in Sicily providing an analysis of the impact and consequences of raised economic performance in local vine-grower economies. Economic indicators were employed to compare the profitability in two PDO areas, verifying if micro and small size farm quite remain competitive in an increasingly concentrated wine market.