Feb. 20 – The most consumed PDO cheese in the world is not the Gruyere nor the Cheddar, but Grana Padano. In 2013, Grana Padano increased its exports by 5.87 %. The data, from the January-November period, was elaborated by ISTAT and confirmed the international leadership role of the Italian PDO cheese. “This is truly flattering – said Stefano Berni , director general of the Consortium for the Protection of Grana Padano – and the particularly brilliant figures in the European Union (with a +7% increase in sales), as well as the 4% increase in non-EU countries are a confirmation of our product’s quality.” The promotional efforts in Germany, which amounted to €4 million in 2013, paid off, as Grana Padano leaped by 8,5% in sales, with over 350.000 forms consumed. The United States come in second, with approximately 160.000 forms, and in third place we have Switzerland, with almost 140.000 forms. Within the EU, double-digit growth was registered in Austria (+15%) and Spain (+11%). Outside Europe, the United States and Canada register a 4% increase while Japan grows by 8%, but the most outstanding result is registered in Russia, where Grana Padano imports grew by 25%.
