Positive results for 2004

13.01.05

The Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma finishes year 2004 with an increase in production, turnover and export volume in the extra-european markets.

During 2004, the Consortium marked 9,387,000 hams: 227,000 more hams (+2.5%) with respect to the previous year’s result. Production value has also grown, passing from 810 million euros to 830 million euros (+2.5%); likewise consumer sales turnover has increased, surpassing a record figure of 1,500 million euros.

Regardless of a strong euro and the economic difficulties intrinsic to some markets, Parma has held up well, especially in the export market. We shouldn’t forget that the Italian market absorbs 82% of production, against 18% export. Of the one and a half million hams exported, approximately 74% remain in Europe, while 26% go overseas.

If the Italian market has suffered, especially during the first part of the year (the blame for this lying chiefly in the considerable increases in the cost of raw materials) – the growth experienced in foreign markets resulted in a positive outcome for 2004.

The best result without a doubt has come from pre-sliced packets: Consortium companies have sold 2,800,000 kg of packet ham against 2,378,00 in 2003 (+18%). Today the pre-sliced ham market represents more than 20% of export business; a significant statistic if we consider that only five years ago the figure was around 10% and since then sales volume has more than doubled.

The pre-sliced packet market is experiencing growth everywhere, both in Italy (+18%) and abroad (+18%). In the USA we have experienced a peak level (+2,100%): 200,000 kg against 9,000 kg in 2003. In Japan this increase is equal to 84% (29,000 kg against 15,700 in 2003) while in Europe the trend is positive all over. In particular, Northern countries have grown by more than 20%.

The results are also good from countries outside the UE: in Canada, exports have increased nearly 50% (27,800 hams against 18,700 in 2003), after new producing plants have been authorized to export; in Japan an increase of 3.6% (76,100 hams against 73,400 in 2003) while in the USA a slight downturn was experienced (6%) mainly caused by strengthening of the euro against the dollar.

“Despite an unfavorable economic situation, probably caused by the strong growth of the euro on international markets and an increased cost of fresh legs that have had a serious impact on producers’ results – said Stefano Fanti, director of the Consortium – Parma Ham has achieved good results in 2004, especially in Northern European countries, Canada and in Japan and overall regarding the pre-sliced market that has witnessed an increase of 18%”.

- top -