Good news on the export front for Italian cheeses. In the first half of 2020 sales grew by +3% in volume and +0.8% in value. Fresh cheeses are leading the growth in volumes, while Italian PDO cheeses are still suffering the consequences of the lockdown.
According to the data provided by Assolatte the Italian dairy sector’s performance in June (+6% in volume and +0.8% in value) is emblematic, as it confirms the recovery in exports after the drop due to the coronavirus health crisis.
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Exports of fresh cheeses (+14.1%), grated cheeses (+6.2%), and mozzarella (+1.3%) increased too. On the other hand, the performance of hard cheeses such as Grana Padano PDO and Parmigiano Reggiano PDO was the same as last year (+0.6%). The best exporting PDO cheese is Gorgonzola PDO, the only one in the category to record a significant growth: +3.2% in volume and +1.1% in value.
Italian cheeses exports growth by type (1st half of 2020)
| Fresh cheeses | +14.1% |
| Grated cheeses | +6.2% |
| Mozzarella | +1.3% |
| Grana Padano PDO | +0.6% |
| Parmigiano Reggiano PDO | +0.6% |
| Gorgonzola PDO | +3.2% |
ITALIAN CHEESES EXPORTS BY THE NUMBERS
The EU’s Single Market once again proved to be of vital importance: exports to the Netherlands (+13.5%), Belgium (+12.5%), France (+10.6%), and Germany (+5%) grew strongly.
Italian cheeses exports by country (1st half of 2020)
| Netherlands | +13.5% |
| Belgium | +12.5% |
| France | +10.6% |
| Germany | +5% |
| USA | -22.9% |
| Japan | -7.7% |
| Canada | +46% |
| South Korea | +18% |
| China | +2.4% |
As for non-EU markets, the sales decline in the United States was confirmed (down -22.9%) but there was also an unexpected drop in sales in Japan (down -7.7%). Canada and South Korea, on the other hand, continued to be the best non-EU destinations (+46% and +18% respectively), thanks above all to the CETA free trade agreements.
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Sales grew also in China (+2.4%), which still holds the highest development potential for Italian food. A few days ago a bilateral agreement was signed for the recognition and protection of as many as 100 European Geographical Indications. “It will enter into force in 2021, establishing a new scenario for our PDO cheeses – says Giuseppe Ambrosi, President of Assolatte – an important step that strengthens the international protection of our excellent cheeses.”