2005: a record year for Parma ham

11.01.06

The Parma ham Consortium has reported a two figure growth in its non-European markets and in the pre-sliced sector in 2005. Despite a strong Euro and contingent economic difficulties in some markets, exports of Parma ham have held well.

The Italian market accounts for 82% of production, against which 12% which is exported. Of the million and a half exported hams around 74% stay in Europe while 26% go further afield.

Although the Italian market has suffered, the growth rates recorded in foreign markets have added up to a positive end in 2005.

The best results have been obtained by the pre-sliced product: the Consortium producers have sold 3.300.000 Kg pre-sliced packets , against the 2.800.00 of 2004 (+17.4%).

Today pre-sliced Parma Ham represents 20% of exports, a very significant figure if it is considered that only 5 years ago this figure was around 10% and that since then sales have more than doubled. The Consortium producers have sold more than 31 million packs of pre-sliced Parma ham. The pre-sliced market is growing everywhere, both in Italy (+18.7%) and abroad (+16.8%). In Britain it has increased by 17% (798.000 kg), in Germany by 14.6% (253.000 kg), in the USA by 19.5% (239.000 kg), in Switzerland by 25.4% (227.000 kg), in Japan by 27.2% (37.000 kg) and in Norway by15.4% (35.000 kg).

Performance of the "traditional" product in the non-European markets were also excellent: in the USA sales increased by 18.2% (362.000 hams compared to the 306.000 of 2004). Canada had increases of 18.2% (33.000 hams compared to 28.000 in 2004); whilst in Japan an increase of 19.5% (90.000 compared to the 76.000 of 2004) was recorded.

"Figures relating to pre-sliced Parma ham and to the export of Parma ham to our main non-European markets are extremely positive, showing an increase of 18.2% for trays of pre-sliced ham and a growth of 18% in the USA, in Canada and in Japan" - comments Stefano Tedeschi, President of the Consortium of Parma Ham. "Its an extremely positive result" - Tedeschi finishes by saying that - "this has partially compensated for difficulties in the Italian market and, above all, reassures us of the value of the investment and marketing policies we have pursued in the medium term".

For further information:
Fabrizio Raimondi
Press Office
Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma
Tel. 0521.243987 - Mobile. 335.389848
e-mail: ufficiostampa@prosciuttodiparma.com

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