PROSCIUTTO DI PARMA SALES CONTINUE TO CLIMB WORLDWIDE

27.07.2007

Parma, July 27, 2007 –  During  the first six months of 2007,  close to 17 million  packages  of pre-sliced  Prosciutto di Parma were exported from Italy,  according to recent data released by the Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma. This represents  an overall  increase of 30% ( weight basis) over the same period last year.  In the U.K., which is the largest consumer of pre-sliced packaged Parma Ham outside of Italy, sales increased in the first six months by more than 40% (weight basis) compared to last year---to 6 million packages. France, Germany  and Belgium  saw substantial increases as well and here in the  United States, imports are up  25 %  (weight basis).  Italian consumers are also enjoying pre-sliced Prosciutto di Parma. In the first six months of this year, 6.5 million packages were sold or about one-third more than during the same period last year.
 
According to Stefano Tedeschi, president of the Consorzio, the increase in pre-sliced, packaged exports is paralleled by the rise in whole ham exports, particularly to the United States, Canada and Japan.  "We believe that we are reaching new customers with the pre-sliced product -- those who are looking for greater convenience," says Tedeschi. "Clearly, there is room in the marketplace for both packaged Prosciutto di Parma and whole hams that are sliced to order."   

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