Il Parmigiano Reggiano PDO It confirms itself as the reference hard cheese in the global panorama, consolidating a primacy that combines organoleptic excellence and market solidity. successes obtained in the main international competitions They represent a quality milestone and at the same time reflect the effectiveness of a protection model that has protected the authenticity of the product since 1996. In the two-year period 2024-2025, the denomination marked a historic turning point: for the first time, the export It surpassed domestic market sales, propelling the supply chain towards a record turnover of 3,2 billion euros.
International successes: dominance at the World Cheese Awards
The 2024 edition of the World Cheese Awards, held in Viseu, Portugal on November 15, 2024, represented a historic moment for Parmigiano Reggiano. The ‘National Parmigiano Reggiano Team’ won 118 medals overall, among which 5 prestigious Super Golds, the highest recognition awarded by the technical jury of the Guild of Fine Food (Guild of Fine Food, 2024). This result constitutes a absolute record for a single denomination, considering that the competition has evaluated 4.786 cheeses from 47 countries through a panel of 240 judges from 40 nations (Guild of Fine Food, 2024).
The 5 Super Golds were awarded to the dairies: Società Agricola Fratelli Boldini (Traversetolo, Parma) for the under 23 months category, Latteria Sociale Moderna (Bibbiano, Reggio Emilia) for the 30-39 months category, Caseifici Granterre – La Nuova 2000 (Bibbiano) over 40 months, Casearia F.lli Dotti (Bibbiano) 30-39 months, and Antica Fattoria Scalabrini (Reggionline, 2024).
The Portuguese triumph highlights the extraordinary productive biodiversity of the denomination: among the awarded dairies there are both milk products from Friesian cows, the prevalent breed, and those from Reggiana breed cows, which confer distinctive organoleptic characteristics. This diversity allows Parmigiano Reggiano to express a complex aromatic spectrum.
International Honors: Domination at the World Cheese Awards
2025 opens with further recognition. Great Taste Awards 2025, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, saw the Parmigiano Reggiano DOP 48 months from the Allegro Social Caseificio among the Italian products that won the 3 stars, a result reserved for only 1,9% of the 14.340 nominated products from 110 countries (Guild of Fine Food, 2025). The product was also nominated for the prestigious Great Taste Golden Fork Awards held on 9 September 2025 at Battersea Arts Centre, London (Guild of Fine Food, 2025).
I World Cheese Awards 2025 held in Bern in November 2025 saw Italy ranked third most awarded nation with 376 total awards, after Spain and Switzerland. Parmigiano Reggiano obtained 103 medals overall: 3 Super Gold, 27 gold medals, 34 silver and 40 bronze (Italianfood.net, 2025).
The three Super Golds were awarded to: Caseificio 4 Madonne dell’Emilia (Modena) with a Parmigiano Reggiano aged over 40 months; Latteria Sociale San Bartolomeo (Reggio Emilia) with an aging period of 30-39 months; Latteria Sociale San Girolamo (Guastalla, Reggio Emilia) with an aging period of 24-29 months. With these results, the National Parmigiano Reggiano team reaches 937 awards from 2001 to today (Italianfood.net, 2025).
Taste Diplomacy: The Casello d’Oro Awards in London and Madrid
The Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Consortium organized in February 2025 the second edition of Casello d’Oro Awards at the British Museum in London, an event that celebrated the 13 winning dairies of the 2024 Palio del Parmigiano Reggiano (Deli Business, 2025). The event, attended by the Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Inigo Lambertini, and hosted by Valentina Harris, BBC Italian cuisine expert, awarded two special mentions for best structure and best aromatic profile to Caseificio 4 Madonne dell’Emilia di Varana in Serramazzoni (Modena).
In January 2026, the third edition of the Casello d’Oro Awards took place in Madrid, celebrating the winners of the Palio 2025. Spain imports more than 1.800 tons per year Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, with a 2,5% year-over-year growth (Food & Beverage Magazine, 2026). The event saw special mentions awarded to the Caseificio Sociale di Monzato for best structure and best aromatic profile.
Market dynamics: the historic overtaking of exports
Success in international competitions translates into tangible benefits for the entire production sector. In 2024, Parmigiano Reggiano reached a consumer turnover record of 3,2 billion euros (+4,9% compared to 2023), with an increase in sales volume of +9,2% (Italianfood.net, 2025). According to the XXIII ISMEA-Qualivita 2025 Report, the production value reached 1,76 billion euros (+10,1%) with 160.007 tons produced (Ismea & Fondazione Qualivita, 2025).
The Protection Consortium brings together approximately 350 dairies. export since 2024 He has reached 72.440 tons with an increase of + 13,7 %, representing 48,7% of the total (Italianfood.net, 2025). The main markets recorded excellent performances: the United States (+13,4%), France (+9,1%), Germany (+13,3%), the United Kingdom (+17,8%), Canada (+24,5%), Japan (+6,1%), and Australia (+28,2%).
In the period January-August 2025
export represented the 53,2% of total sales, exceeding the domestic market for the first time in history (Italianfood.net, 2025). Sales in Italian retail channel at the same time they showed an increase of +1% in volume (47.383 tonnes) and of +4,1% in value (over 873 million euros) (Qualivita Foundation, 2025).
The value of the specification: biodiversity and certified quality
International success is based on production specification, now protected by Regulation (EU) 2024/1143. The specification imposes stringent constraints: from the feed of the cows, which must include at least 50% forage produced in the area of origin and exclude the use of silage, to artisanal manufacturing techniques.
The exclusive use of raw milk, coagulation with natural calf rennet, the absence of additives and the minimum aging of 12 months constitute distinctive elements. Research has identified a unique microbial biodiversity, with over 50 lactic acid bacterial species (Gatti et al., 2014).
Integrated sustainability: the circular model with the Prosciutto di Parma PDO supply chain
Use of the residual serum for feeding pigs intended for production of Parma Ham DOP represents an example of The circular economyThis system valorizes over 2 million tons of whey annually, creating value in the pork supply chain.
Conclusions
Parmigiano Reggiano DOP demonstrates how the Geographical Indications system
may evolve into a strategic asset for the national economy without giving up its founding values. The combination of commercial innovation and production rigor — guaranteed by a specification that excludes additives and promotes microbial biodiversity — ensures the ‘King of cheesesA global benchmark. With steadily growing exports and a sustainable system linked to the pork supply chain, the Emilian PDO is positioning itself as a guide for the future of quality agri-food.
GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade) Editorial Team
References
Gatti, M., Bottari, B., Lazzi, C., Neviani, E., & Mucchetti, G. (2014). Invited review: Microbial evolution in raw-milk, long-ripened cheeses produced using undefined natural whey starters. Journal of Dairy Science, 97 https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2013-7187
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