The Gorgonzola PDO sector is maintaining a steady course in 2026, confirming its role as a cornerstone of the Italian dairy industry. According to the latest data, production in the first half of the year reached 2,581,021 cheese wheels, marking a slight increase of 0.40% compared to the same period in 2025. Growth was particularly notable in June, with production volumes rising by 2.17% in Lombardy and 5.26% across the Piedmontese provinces.
International trade dynamics
Export performances remain resilient, showing a stable trend (+0.1%) during the first quarter of 2026. A total of 6,350 tons of the blue-veined delicacy were exported, with 5,508 tons destined for European markets. The French market continues to show strong appetite for the product, importing 121,228 wheels (+1.1%). While Germany remains the second-largest destination, it recorded a 11.5% decline. Conversely, the sector is celebrating significant growth in other EU countries, including Poland (+13%), Luxembourg (+14.4%), Austria (+25.3%), and the Netherlands (+26%). Beyond Europe, Japan stands out as a leading non-EU market with nearly 10,000 wheels imported (+16.4%), followed by a recovery in the UK, which posted a 4.2% growth.
Gorgonzola: a global icon
The Gorgonzola PDO Consortium continues to drive international demand through targeted digital campaigns and active participation in global trade fairs. As the third most important cow’s milk cheese in the Italian PDO panorama and the fifth-ranked PDO product in the overall agri-food sector, the industry remains a vital economic force. Today, the sector boasts a turnover estimated at 800 million euros at the consumer level, with production spread across 15 provinces and supported by 37 associated companies and approximately 1,800 farms.
