Antonio Auricchio, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Gorgonzola PDO cheese, has expressed concern over the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, highlighting that exports of Gorgonzola PDO outside the EU account for 14% of total exports, with 11% of that figure destined for the United States. This is a significant market, amounting to over 387 tons and valued at more than three million euros.
“We held out hope until the very end that the American administration would refrain from initiating this absurd trade war, particularly with us as allies,” Auricchio stated. “Ultimately, the tariffs have been set at 20% on ‘Made in Italy’ dairy products entering the U.S. market. It is crucial to note that this rate compounds with existing tariffs, which can reach up to 15% for certain cheeses. Gorgonzola PDO, for instance, will see its price increase by a third for American consumers, based on an average price of ten euros per kilo.”
Auricchio also emphasized the importance of the upcoming Summer Fancy Food Show in New York at the end of June, describing it as a pivotal event for promoting Italian PDO cheeses that have been disproportionately affected by these tariffs. “We urgently call for decisive action from both the Italian government and the European Union to mitigate the impact of these additional costs on American consumers who appreciate Gorgonzola PDO, as well as on our producers, who are already grappling with rising milk prices and soaring energy costs.”