Lombardy's DOP Economy is worth 2.5 billion and is the third in Italy

In Lombardy, the DOP Economy is worth EUR 2.50 billion a year and has grown by 3.3% in 2023. From Grana Padano to Gorgonzola, from Provolone to Bresaola, the economy that revolves around controlled-designation productions knows no setbacks. And it assigns Lombardy the bronze medal of the most PDO region in Italy, behind first place Veneto (4.8 billion, but up only 0.4%) and second place Emilia Romagna (3.8 billion, but down 2.4%).

The data come from the latest report by Ismea and the Qualivita Foundation, according to which the national PDO Economy has now exceeded 20 billion euro in value per year.

Lombardy is home to 75 of Italy's 317 protected designation of origin products: 34 are PDOs and PGIs in the food sector, 41 are DOC, DOCG and IGTs in the wine sector. 69% of the value comes from the cheese chain alone, followed at a great distance by wines (19%) and cured meats, which contribute only 11%. The PDO Economy accounts for 15% of the region's entire agri-food turnover and can count on 8,418 operators. If we analyse only the food sector, Lombardy's PDO food industry is worth 2.085 billion euros, growing by 4.2% and is the second largest in Italy, while the wine sector, which is worth 496 million euros (seventh in Italy), remains at the same level as last year.

"The cheese chain confirms itself as the region's real gold mine," recalled Alessandro Beduschi, Lombardy Region's Agriculture Councillor, who is also an Ismea councillor, at the presentation of the report. "Among the cheeses produced in our region, nationally Grana Padano is the top Italian PDO product with 1.88 billion in production value. In the Italian top ten of dairy products we also find Parmigiano Reggiano with 1.59 billion, Gorgonzola with 430 million and Provolone Valpadana with 55 million. Of the whole cheese sector, Lombardy alone accounts for 1.7 billion Euro and holds the absolute record at national level. This result is not just an economic fact, it is the sign of territories that know how to look to the future'. Another Lombardy icon, Bresaola della Valtellina, is also among the top 15 denomination products in the national ranking, with a value of 225 million euro in 2023.

The champion of Lombardy's PDO Econonomy, however, unquestionably remains Grana Padano, as the region produces about 70 per cent of all the wheels made in Italy. Grana cheese factories are concentrated in the provinces of Mantua, Brescia and Cremona. The share of Parmigiano Reggiano, on the other hand, is much smaller: Lombardy is responsible for less than 10% of national production, with production concentrated in the 19 Mantuan dairies that are members of the protection consortium.