The cold cuts sector alone is worth around an annual €1.3 billion and has experienced a volume growth rate of 7.6% during the first semester of 2016, according to Assica. More than just a breath of fresh air for the turnover, exports represent excellent development potentialities for the cold meats sector. On account of internal difficulties and the Italian consumer’s alienation from meat, it is probably the first real opportunity in the companies’ strategic plans. This boost in consumption results from a penetration into the wellness and packaging area. It also entails more practical formats and focuses on quality issues. France, Germany, and the United Kingdom hold their ground as the main export countries, while exports to EU partners as a whole mark an 8.7% in quantity and a 6.6% increase in turnover.
PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA DOP – Slackened by the downtrend in international commerce, trade with non-EU countries, on the other hand, has experienced ups and downs. As a matter of fact, exports increased by 3.1% in volume, with a firm value of €137.1 million in the first semester of this year. Prosciutto di Parma DOP is a fast growing business. Even if Italy remains the main market, with 68% of the absorbed production, exports recorded a remarkable growth. In the last decade, moreover, it increased by 50% and now represents 32% of the annual production, with estimated sales of €260 million. Aiming at quality thus remains the true priority to ensure competitiveness and a sustainable future to all players in the sector. The drivers for growth are market differentiation and geographic expansion. Following this strategy, Prosciutto di Parma DOP is expected to grow outside Europe and in particular in the United States this year, with planned promotional programmes mainly encompassing in-store tastings and collaborations with Horeca channels, linked to initiatives for the training of professional employees.
