Italian cheese exports reached a new record in 2024, with shipments rising 10.7% year-on-year to more than 657,000 tonnes, generating revenues of over €5.7bn, according to industry data from Clal. The growth reflects increasing global demand for high-quality Italian dairy products.
Fresh cheeses drove the expansion, up 12.7% and accounting for nearly half of total exports. Grana Padano PDO and Parmigiano Reggiano PDO also performed strongly, with volumes rising 8.7% and total sales exceeding €1.5bn. Grated cheeses saw a sharp rise in demand, with exports up 10.7% to 75,000 tonnes, valued at €821m.
Southeast Asia remains a key growth market, with exports to the region rising 20%. Japan was the largest destination, importing 12,835 tonnes (+13.9%), while demand in China surged 30.8% to 11,663 tonnes.
The 50th edition of Foodex Japan, which concluded recently, underscored the strength of Italian dairy exports to the country. Mozzarella led shipments to Japan, reaching 4,707 tonnes (+22.5%), while Grana Padano PDO and Parmigiano Reggiano PDO continued to expand their footprint. Grated cheese exports nearly doubled from 2023 levels, reaching 1,423 tonnes.