Mortadella Bologna. Three sizes of Italian Mortadella sausage with Consorzio Italiano Tutela label.

Mortadella Bologna PGI: Sales Rise by 4.4% Driven by Strong Exports

The prestigious Italian deli meat records positive first-half growth, fueled by international demand and increasing popularity in foreign markets
Mortadella Bologna. Three sizes of Italian Mortadella sausage with Consorzio Italiano Tutela label.

The Mortadella Bologna PGI sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience and growth. According to data released by the Protection Consortium for the first half of 2026, the deli meat industry has confirmed a strong upward trajectory across all major performance indicators, despite the ongoing challenges in the global economic landscape.

Production and sales performance

Total production has exceeded 19.6 million kilograms, marking a 2.9% increase. Even more impressive is the 4.4% rise in overall sales, significantly supported by the growing consumer preference for pre-sliced convenient packs, which saw a surge of 10.1%. This trend highlights a shift in consumption habits toward convenience without compromising on quality.

The engine of exports

The standout performer for the sector is international trade. Export figures reached a remarkable +19.4% increase, now accounting for 27.8% of total sales. Guido Veroni, President of the Consortium, expressed high satisfaction with these results: “While the domestic market is currently experiencing a moment of reflection, exports remain the primary engine of our development. We are seeing double-digit growth in our key European markets.”

Key growth markets for Mortadella Bologna PGI

France continues to lead as the top destination for volume, growing by nearly 22%, followed closely by Germany with an impressive +38.5%. Furthermore, emerging markets are showing great promise, with Poland (+35.5%) and the Czech Republic (+67.2%) confirming the global appeal of this iconic Italian delicacy.

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