Mozzarella is export champion. And prices do not dampen domestic consumption

A slowdown certainly not felt bySabelli - 270 million turnover (including Trevisanalat) and third player in the Italian mozzarella market after Lactalis and Granarolo - which recorded a +23% growth in value in cow's milk product

"Both the decision to invest in fixed weight for a company like Sabelli, traditionally strong in service at the deli counter," says ad Angelo Davide Galeati, "and our investments in promotion and marketing amounting to about 1.5 million a year, in addition to the 10 million a year in industrial investments, have worked. In the future, we will continue to innovate and expand the presence of our references in the large-scale retail trade".

At Cibus in Parma Sabelli presented "The Good of White", a supply chain project that introduces "a system of remuneration for feeders based on the level of implementation of the requirements set out in a specification": not only organoleptic quality of milk, but also traceability, animal welfare, sustainability and energy efficiency, and generational turnover among farmers.

Domestic purchases, however, only account for half of national consumption, with the other half going to food service and industrial use. On the other hand, 142 thousand tons of mozzarella, worth 921 million Euro, are destined abroad: first place among cheeses with 18.6% of the total export value. Last year, exports grew by 3.9% in quantity and 10% in value.

Three quarters go to Europe and in particular to France, which alone accounts for almost a third of the total, to the extent that mozzarella has even overtaken camembert on transalpine tables.

Butthe biggest growth was in Germany (+24% for 12 thousand tonnes), Spain (+10.5%) and Poland (+30.5%). Only the United Kingdom, the second largest export market, recorded a drop of 5.1%. Switzerland, on the other hand, holds the record for per capita imports: almost 1 kg per year.

To cover domestic needs, however, imports are also involved, amounting to 95,100 tonnes (+6% on 2022), more than half of which comes from Germany.

"After a good 2023, our exports are off to a brilliant start in January 2024 with mozzarella growing by 12%. Quality Italian products are holding up well and Lactalis has always invested and believed in them, leaving autonomy and identity to each brand. But we must not forget that we act in a market that is at least European and that not all milk is destined for PDOs. Abroad there are lower costs and we often go for the first price and the discounters, who risk being advantaged at a time when purchasing power is falling'. This was emphasised by Mauro Frantellizzi, export director in Italy for Lactalis, which in addition to Parmalat owns leading brands in the sector such as Galbani and Vallelata and is the leading producer of mozzarella in Italy. It holds 37% of exports and in particular 50% of French exports.