The so-called Parma Food Valley has long been a cornerstone of Italy’s agri-food landscape. Its significance lies in its formidable revenue streams and adeptness at cultivating two fundamental drivers that have come to define success in the wider Italian agri-food domain: quality and internationalization. The Parma Food Valley district boasts impressive figures: a turnover of 8.2 billion euros in 2023, of which 2.7 billion euros stem from exports, constituting a notable 33% share of the total.
Historically, this region has been anchored by iconic productions like Parmigiano Reggiano PDO and Prosciutto di Parma PDO—two of Italy’s top five PDO products by revenue—and has further flourished, notably through the endeavors of renowned brands like Barilla and Parmalat.
Today, the Parma Food Valley is home to six distinct supply chains, spanning from Prosciutto to Parmigiano, from dairy to pasta, and from tomatoes (with key players including Mutti and Rodolfi Mansueto) to canned anchovies (featuring brands like Delicius, Rizzoli Emanuelli, and Zarotti). Last year, these supply chains propelled Parma to the second position among 110 Italian provinces for export revenue in the food sector, accounting for 5.1% of Italian food exports—a notable increase from 4.8% in 2022.
The Parma Food Valley is home to 1,052 companies, employing over 15,000 direct workers; when considering the indirect workforce, these numbers swell to 1,519 companies and 25,000 employees. Crucially, these supply chains exemplify a robust drive for global expansion.
Reflecting on the growth and consolidation of the Parma Food Valley, it’s worth noting the significant recognition it received in 2005, when the EU Commission selected Parma as the headquarters for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
On May 8th, amidst the 2024 edition of the Cibus trade show (held from May 7th to May 10th in Parma), Parma and its Food Valley will take center stage in a meeting titled “Parmesan Agri-food: Economic Outcomes and Initiatives Across Various Supply Chains for Regional Development,” organized by the Parma UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy Foundation.