The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World has concluded with a glowing portrait of Italian culinary heritage. Nearly 600,000 restaurants globally claim to serve Italian cuisine, with a growing number featuring authentic Italian cheeses in signature dishes such as Risotto al Gorgonzola.
Italian PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheeses are thriving. Exports climbed 11% in 2023, cementing their status as the top revenue stream among PDO products. PDO cheeses now account for 60% of Italy’s total dairy exports, with 254,000 tons shipped globally, generating nearly €3 billion in value (source: afidop.it).
Antonio Auricchio, President of the Gorgonzola PDO Consortium and AFIDOP, highlighted efforts to further promote these exports. “We are working internationally to implement guidelines developed with FIPE (the Italian Federation of Public Establishments, ed.), ensuring PDO cheeses are properly showcased on menus. Additionally, we are championing the return of the cheese trolley, a culinary showcase that celebrates our cheeses’ history, aging processes, and unique production methods.”
GORGONZOLA LEADS THE CHARGE
Among the standout performers is Gorgonzola PDO, with over one million wheels exported in the first half of 2024—a 4% increase year-on-year. Yet despite this success, Auricchio warns of potential headwinds.
“The recent U.S. elections are a concern. The U.S. is our largest non-EU market, and in 2020, tariffs imposed under Trump saw Italian cheese exports to the country drop by more than 6,000 tons, valued at €65 million. We hope the progress achieved since then won’t be reversed.”
Meanwhile, online data underscores Gorgonzola’s growing global appeal. It is now the second most-searched cheese online, with 23,200 searches, outpacing Parmigiano Reggiano PDO (18,300) and Grana Padano PDO (9,200), according to Blogmeter.
A NEW WAVE OF CHEESE TOURISM
Cheese is also carving out a niche in experiential tourism, mirroring the success of winery tours. According to the first “Report on Tourism and the Dairy World” by the Italian Association of Food and Wine Tourism, 32.7% of travelers have participated in a cheese-themed experience over the past three years. Activities range from dairy tours and festivals to restaurant-based events, with participation up 7.3% since 2021.
Dairies and cheesemakers are central to this trend, offering more than just tastings. Engaging experiences such as cheese pairing workshops (popular with 55% of respondents) and hands-on cheese-making classes (52%) are now mainstays.
Italy’s PDO cheeses have cemented their place not only at dining tables but also as cultural ambassadors, capturing the imagination of food lovers and tourists worldwide.