2006 Exports of Parma Ham Soar

27.03.07

Parma, 27 March 2007 - A new record has been set for exports of Parma Ham. In 2006 producers of Prosciutto di Parma exported over 1.9 million hams bearing the ducal crown brand, with an increase of 7.8%, which translates into roughly 140,000 more items than in 2005. Exports currently make up 20% of Parma Ham sales, which is well above the national average for the agroindustrial sector (below 15%), and for Italian cured meats generally, where the figure does not exceed 10%. Sales of Parma Ham have shot up in the last two years due to an increase in overseas markets, particularly in terms of the pre-sliced product, which, with sales of 600,000 units, makes up a significant share of exports (31%). The trend is absolutely clear-cut: with a rise from 1,442,000 units in the 1997-2001 period to 1,698,000 units in 2002-2006, average annual growth in exports has been approximately 256,000 units.  This growth has mainly occurred in Europe (an increase of 115,000 hams) thanks to a strong rise in sales of the pre-sliced product, but there has also been a good contribution from markets further afield, which have grown by around 25,000 hams. While the European market effectively still takes up the predominant share of exports (72%), sales outside of Europe are strongly dynamic and show consistent growth. Analyzing the figures for individual countries, France (430,000 hams exported), with a fair growth, remains the principal market, followed by the United States (360,000), Germany (350,000), Great Britain (230,000), Japan (104,000) and Belgium (98,000); these last four markets in particular have shown the most significant increases. Performances have also been excellent in Greece (17,000), Norway (19,000) and above all Canada (40,890); exports to Russia and other Eastern European countries have also begun to grow, while the only negative news comes from Switzerland and Luxembourg. Exports to South America and Africa also remain rather limited, while the Asian market is growing at a good pace.
 
“We are pleased to observe that the Consortium’s efforts are bearing substantial fruit and that Prosciutto di Parma remains the absolute leader in such strategic markets as the US and Japan.  Overseas markets represent an excellent opportunity for our 171 firms, which in the course of 2006 exported almost 2 million Parma Hams, with an increase of 7.8% compared with the previous year,” stated Stefano Tedeschi, President of the Consortium of Parma Ham.

 
Fabrizio Raimondi
Responsabile Ufficio Stampa
Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma
Via dell'Arpa 8/b - 43100 Parma
Tel. +39 0521 246242 - Fax +39 0521 243983
www.prosciuttodiparma.com

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