Grana Padano is Italy's first Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), and in 2023 it increased sales by 1.7 percent in the domestic market and 5 percent abroad. Adding the two together, in such a difficult year for consumption, Grana Padano managed to put up a 4 percent growth. "The data already available allow us to be satisfied with the market trend," said the President of the Protection Consortium, Renato Zaghini, during his report to the general assembly, "from the dairy products of the Grana Padano chain more than 3.5 million tons of milk pass through, also destined for other productions, making it the main Italian player. Grana Padano is therefore the most consumed protected designation of origin product in the world. This is also confirmed by the 21st edition of the Ismea-Qualivita report on the PDO Economy: in 2022, with more than 1.73 billion euros in sales, the PDO put up a record growth of 18 percent compared to 2021, thanks to which it ousted Parmigiano Reggiano from the podium, at 1.72 billion euros. In addition to exports, sales - and therefore consumption - made through the Horeca channel have also increased significantly: in bars and restaurants, consumption of Grana Padano has grown by more than 14% in volume and 22% in value, thanks in part to a strong push for grated cheese. Each year the consortium's 141 producers, who employ 50,000 people, bring more than 5.2 million wheels to market, of which more than 2.3 million are destined for the foreign market.
|