“Nearly a Millennium of Tradition Preserved with Care”. So says the presentation of the world’s most famous Italian cheese, Grana Padano PDO, which has been confirmed once again in 2023 as the most consumed PDO product in the world. A total of 5,456,349 wheels of Grana Padano PDO rolled off the production lines across 141 dairies in 2023, a testament to its enduring appeal. The cheese-making workforce, totaling around 50,000 individuals, orchestrated this output, surpassing the 1996 production of 3,600,000 wheels.
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The international stage witnessed a remarkable surge, with 2,363,706 Grana Padano PDO wheels finding their way to foreign markets in 2022, constituting a substantial 47% of the total production. Fueling this success, exports experienced a 6.19% uptick in 2022 compared to the previous year. The trend continued into the first ten months of 2023, showcasing a 6.44% growth, with 2,068,000 wheels exported. Germany emerged as the paramount importer, securing 504,528 wheels—a figure doubling that of France, positioned second at 247,308 wheels. The United States closely followed in third place, importing 163,118 wheels, outpacing Spain’s 121,719 and surpassing the United Kingdom’s 117,571. Switzerland trailed closely with 115,972 wheels, securing the fifth spot. Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, and Sweden secured positions seven through ten.
Amid these very good figures, the Protection Consortium remains unwavering in its commitment to combatting fraudulent practices and imitations. Renato Zaghini, President of the Consortium, underscores the battle against food piracy, noting that Grana Padano, along with other esteemed Italian PDO cheeses, faces challenges from proliferating imitations, notably the Argentine ‘Reggianito,’ making waves across continents.
To counter this, Zaghini advocates for “continued excellence in cheese production—a legacy maintained for almost a millennium. This involves the meticulous use of premium raw materials coupled with a relentless pursuit of quality, integrity, and passion.”
