Since 1990, “made in Italy” cheese consumption has more than doubled in Japan, where there are now as many as 5,000 Italian restaurants. According to AFIDOP, Association of Italian Pdo and Pgi Cheeses, exports of Italian cheeses to Land of the Rising Sun reached 12,700 tons in 2024, up 14%, with a total value of 106.9 million euros, an increase of 1.1% over the previous year.
“2024 was a more than positive year for our exports to Japan,” commented Antonio Auricchio, President of AFIDOP and the Consortium Gorgonzola. “The increases triggered by the depreciation of the Yen against foreign currencies in 2023 did not affect the Japanese fondness for our Pdo cheeses. Merit for our products’ variety of styles, textures, and tastes, but also for their versatility in cooking and the appeal of Made in Italy, which has always been synonymous with ancient knowledge and a supply chain that offers guarantees of quality and authenticity.”
With these excellent premises, the Consortium for the Protection of Gorgonzola Pdo Cheese participated from March 11 to 14 in the 50th edition of Foodex Japan 2025, Japan’s most crucial agrifood trade fair. At the stand, great success was enjoyed by the tastings organized for buyers and operators who particularly appreciated the Sweet Gorgonzola, unlike when the Spicy Gorgonzola was the star.
The promotion activity also had an essential moment of representation outside of Foodex, with the evening “The Italian aperitivo,” organized on the evening of March 13 by ICE and Fiere di Parma at the Italian Embassy in Japan. At the event, President Antonio Auricchio told the history and peculiarities of Gorgonzola Pdo and other Italian Pdo dairy products to the Italian ambassador, Gianluigi Benedetti, and his guests. “For the future,” Auricchio concluded, “we see wide margins for growth.”
