Bresaola della Valtellina Igp in precarious balance: production down and turnover up

"The sector closes a 2025 that reflects the complex socio-economic dynamics of recent years," says Mario Francesco Moro, President of the Consortium for the Protection of Bresaola della Valtellina, "The consumer value has also been sustained by the decrease in production and the consequent price adjustment. Further impacting the sector today are also the supply difficulties andthe increase in costs linked to non-EU imports, aggravated by the current international tariff dynamics. It is true that the new document drawn up by the European Commissioner for Agriculture clearly expresses the intention to re-launch beef farming in the territories of the Union. However, to observe concrete effects it will be necessary to wait at least a year, the time required by the natural cattle cycle. On the one hand, it is essential to support European producers, encouraging them to increase production volumes to strengthen the continent's self-sufficiency. On the other hand, it is undeniable that, in the meantime, meat processors are suffering severely, facing a shortage of raw material that could jeopardise their stability'.

"The sector continues to show solidity and resilience, but without concrete interventions it will be difficult to sustain this situation for long. The increase in production costs, which has been weighing on companies for years, can no longer be borne solely by producers. As a consortium we are committed to containing this imbalance, but a shared effort along the entire supply chain is necessary, involving not only producers, but also distribution, institutions and political decision-makers. Only through common action will it be possible to effectively face the challenges of the current context,' Moro concludes.

In March, the application for an ordinary amendment to the production specification of Bresaola della Valtellina Igp was published in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic and officially came into force today.

Among the main new features of the specification is the strengthening of product traceability and retraceability systems. In particular, all stages of the production process will have to be documented through a precise registration of the incoming flows of raw materials and outgoing flows of finished products.

This is flanked by the obligation of registration in special lists - managed by the delegated body - for all operators involved in the various stages, including processors, portioners, slicers and packers, as well as the timely communication of the quantities processed. Together, these measures ensure full traceability and retraceability of the product along the entire production chain, from upstream to downstream.