A decidedly positive sign also marked the trend in the production of Gorgonzola PDO in 2021. 5,258,828 wheels were made from January to December 2021, with an increase of 3.11% compared to 2020, equal to 158,405 wheels more.
Growth, which has been constant since 2008, has more than doubled in the year just ended compared to the previous two years. In fact, 74,638 more wheels were produced in 2020 compared to 2019 (+1.49%). The increase concerns the entire consortium territory, straddling Lombardy and Piedmont, with the Piedmontese provinces accounting for more than two thirds of production in 2021.
Gorgonzola PDO Piccante is increasingly popular with consumers. In fact, 13% of the total production was destined to this type, which recorded an increase of 18.81% compared to 2020.
As far as exports are concerned, the figures are encouraging also in this case: from January to September 2021, more than 1,500,000 wheels crossed the Italian borders (1,507,416) with an increase of 5.4% compared to the same period in 2020.
The European Union confirms itself as the main market for Gorgonzola PDO with Germany as the first importing country (429,435 wheels as of September 2021) followed by France (342.876) and Spain (96.895). Exports to the United Kingdom continued to drop, by 42% in the first nine months of 2021, following the country’s exit from the EU.
For the rest of the world, the United States is the leading Country for exports with 24,095 wheels imported (+29.80%), ahead of Japan (22,908) and Australia (22,154).
“This year, too, we are particularly satisfied with the numbers, showing a steady growth that is consolidating and placing Gorgonzola PDO among the best loved Italian cheeses. We have been working for years to promote our unique product, focusing on quality, and correct and transparent information, thanks also to the commitment and experience of our 40 member companies. – says the President of the Gorgonzola Consortium, Antonio Auricchio – I believe that we still have important margins for growth by continuing to focus on new foreign markets and on involving young people, who show their appreciation for Gorgonzola cheese, while maintaining the very high quality level of our product. Only in this way can we have an enormous advantage over similar products in the world”.
Of particular interest are the three-digit increases in countries such as Norway, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, which may represent new market outlets for consumption of Gorgonzola PDO.
A growing export, therefore, which rewards the actions of both the Consortium and its member companies.
