Reggio Emilia, Italy—Last year was a record year for Parmigiano Reggiano PDO production, which increased 4.9 percent from 2019, according to the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium.
The 3.94 million wheels of cheese (about 160,000 tons, or 353 million pounds) produced in 2020 represent the highest production in the long history of Parmigiano Reggiano. Turnover was 2.35 billion euro, the Consortium reported.
The market for Parmigiano Reggiano is becoming more international, the Consortium noted.
Italy, which accounts for 56 percent of the market, recorded a 7.9 percent increase in the sale volume in 2020.
Large retail is still the top distribution channel (61 percent), followed by normal trade (13 percent), retail (12 percent) and food industry (4 percent).
The “Horeca” channel (food service) accounts for only 2 percent of Parmigiano Reggiano sales, and experienced a drastic fall due to the closure of restaurants during the pandemic. The remaining 7 percent is distributed in other sales channels.
The export share of Parmigiano Reggiano sales is 44 percent, and was up 10.7 percent in volume compared to 2019, the Consortium reported.
The US is the leading market (20 percent of overall exports), followed by France (19 percent), Germany (18 percent), the United Kingdom (13 percent) and Canada (5 percent).
On the main markets, the best performances were recorded in the United Kingdom (up 21.8 percent), Germany (up 14.8 percent) and France (up 4.2 percent).
Growth was also recorded in the US (up 1.9 percent) and Canada (up 36.8 percent), along with new markets: Australia (up 85.4 percent), Gulf Area (up 62.3 percent) and China (up 8 percent).
Parmigiano Reggiano also enjoyed a very good 2020 as far as prices are concerned, the Consortium reported. In the first half of the year, the price of 12-month Parmigiano Reggiano was 7.55 euros per kilogram, but by the end of the year it rose above 10 euros per kilogram.
The average annual price of 8.56 euros per kilogram was below the 2019 price, but the second-half increase led to a recovery of margins, the Consortium noted.
“We are ready to deal with a challenging 2021: the Parmigiano Reggiano brand can become a true global brand and we are working in this direction,” said Nicola Bertinelli, president of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium.
