By: MEGA
Americans’ love for Parmigiano Reggiano is being tested as tariffs under President Donald Trump’s second term drive up the cost of imported luxury cheese. The iconic Italian cheese, known for its nutty, crystalline texture and legally protected origins, has become a flashpoint in the administration’s sweeping trade measures.
Cheese tariff
Parmigiano Reggiano faces political pressure. By: Unsplash
From January to April 2025, the average U.S. tariff rate soared from 2.5% to 27% — the highest in more than a century — aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing trade deficits. For Parmigiano Reggiano, which was already subject to a 15% duty, an additional 10% tariff in April raised the total to 25%. The timing coincided with the summer buying cycle, a crucial period for imported Italian goods.
Stockpiling inventory
Trump enacted a sweeping series of protective tariffs targeting nearly all goods imported into the United States. By: MEGA
For the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, which safeguards the cheese’s PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status, the stakes are high. The group issued a press release emphasizing that the U.S. remains its largest export market. In 2024, more than 16,000 tons were shipped to the U.S., a 13.4% increase from the previous year. Retail sales in America also rose 9% in the first four months of 2025. Behind the scenes, however, much of that growth reflects preparation for higher prices. Distributors began stockpiling inventory in late 2024, and when rumors of new tariffs emerged in March, sell-in volumes spiked 40% overnight. The Consortium portrayed this as a sign of resilience but acknowledged the volatility of a market caught between politics and Parmesan.
Trump imposed an additional 10% tariff on European imports. By: MEGA
In response, the Consortium has taken unusually aggressive steps to secure its U.S. foothold. It launched the Parmigiano Reggiano Academy in early 2025, offering training for grocery buyers, restaurant suppliers and specialty food staff. So far, more than 700 employees across 20 global chains have completed the program, with plans to double participation by year’s end. The group has also embraced American-style marketing. In a surprising move, it struck a multi-year partnership with the New York Jets, featuring Parmigiano-branded tailgates, in-stadium tastings, social media campaigns and a presence at MetLife Stadium. The strategy is designed to keep the cheese top-of-mind for U.S. consumers, even as its price now rivals that of a bottle of prosecco.
Cheese market
In 2024 alone, more than 16,000 tons of Parmigiano Reggiano were shipped to the U.S. By: Unsplash
“With the opening of our New York-based corporation in July 2024, we’ve established a constant and direct presence in the U.S.,” said Nicola Bertinelli, president of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium. “Moving forward, we must invest even more in growing international markets — starting with the U.S., which represents the future of our PDO. We are not pleased by the possibility of new tariffs, but Parmigiano Reggiano is a premium product. We will do everything in our power to prevent rising prices from significantly reducing consumption.” Bertinelli insists the issue is about market reality, not European prestige. “Parmigiano Reggiano is not in real competition with U.S.-made Parmesan,” he said. “It represents less than 8% of the hard cheese market and sells at nearly twice the price. American consumers who choose Parmigiano Reggiano are making a conscious, informed decision.” For now, the Consortium appears committed to holding the line — wheel by wheel, tailgate by tailgate.
Joshua Wilburn Previously a writer for RadarOnline.com, Joshua Wilburn is a writer and reporter for Knewz.com, covering breaking news.
Dining and Cooking