2007: New Record For Pre-Sliced Packets of Parma Ham & Excellent Results For Non-EU Export

25.01.08

Parma, 25 January 2008 -  Sales of pre-sliced pre-packed Parma Ham continue to rise, closing 2007 with an increase of +24.6% compared to last year's figures.  The Consortium's 171 member companies sold an estimated 50 million packets, equivalent to 5,200 tons of product.  Of these, 14 million packets remained in Italy while the other 35 million went abroad. 

The growth trend for pre-sliced Parma is truly extraordinary.  Since 2000, volume has increased three-fold, passing from 15 to 50 million packets.  The increase recorded in 2007 (+10  million packets) concerns both Italy (+31%) and abroad (+22%).  Great Britain continues to front export with more than 12 million packets (+27%), although the other main markets have also shown significant growth, especially France (+13%), Germany (+16%), Belgium (+35%) and the USA (+24%).   Significant growth has also been seen in minor markets, Austria (+81%) and Denmark (+70%) and good results by Holland (+28%) and Norway (+28%). 

The traditional product is also showing significant growth in overseas markets, fronted by the American market.  In the four main non-European markets (USA, Canada, Japan and Australia) a total of 568,000 Parma Hams were sold, an increase of 12%, equal to 60,000 pieces. This increase was mainly down to the growth of the traditional product (+50,000 pieces) with a modest contribution from the pre-sliced product (+10,000 hams).  After continued growth over time, export share in non-European countries has taken on significant importance.  With 568,000 pieces representing currently around 27% of total export, this is a significant piece of data considering that 10 years ago this share was equal to 17% (225,000 pieces).  The USA is the clear leader in the non-European market.  Results are excellent: +18%, with an increase of 64,500 pieces, allowing the Consortium to exceed 400,000 hams.  19% of exports in the USA are from by the pre-sliced product, also experiencing growth in 2007 (+13%).  The traditional product - which still makes up the majority of US sales, also shows a marked step forward compared to 2006: +55,000 pieces, an increase of 19%.  The potential for growth in the American market is still ample and the Consortium believes the fact that Parma is beginning to be known and appreciated outside the traditional areas of New York and San Francisco is an excellent sign. Remaining stable, however, are exports to Canada, exports rose in 2007 to 40,000 pieces.  Results in Japan were not as encouraging, with a drop of 16,000 hams. However results were very promising in new market Australia, where despite exports having only started last February, they have already reached a total 13,500 hams. 
 
"The pre-sliced market represents the most dynamic segment of the Parma market.  Practicality and its many uses combined with the quality of a healthy and natural product:  this is the secret of our product's success. Export is becoming ever more strategic for the division and the expansion of non-European markets has reached truly  important dimensions, representing 27% of our total export" - commented Stefano Tedeschi, Chairman of the Parma Ham Consortium.

- top -