US tariffs in the spotlight: the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium in the spotlight at the Summer Fancy Food Show

The possible increase in tariffs wanted by the Trump administration (suspended until 9 July and then recently extended to a date to be defined) was the opening theme of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, the most important American food & beverage trade fair. From the stage of the Javits Center, the Consortium emphasised the urgency of avoiding inconsistent price increases that would penalise consumers and US importers, and reiterated the need for a coordinated dialogue at EU level.

During the event, President Nicola Bertinelli stressed: "The possible increase in tariffs on Parmigiano Reggiano does not make us happy, but ours is a premium product and we will do everything possible to ensure that the price increase does not lead to a substantial reduction in consumption. Parmigiano Reggiano is not in real competition with American Parmesans: it covers less than 8% of the hard cheese market and sells at twice the price. Those who choose our PDO in the US are making a conscious choice, despite having alternatives that cost 2-3 times less. Imposing further tariffs would mean raising the price for American consumers without really protecting local producers: a decision that would harm everyone. We need a dialogue led by the European Union to avoid inconsistent and unsustainable tariffs, trusting in the loyalty of evolved consumers like those in the United States, who continue to reward excellence".

The numbers confirm the USA as the first foreign market for PDO: in 2024 more than 16,000 tonnes were exported (+13.4% on 2023), with a 22.5% share of total exports. Also in the first four months of 2025, the sell-out registers a further +9% in line with the previous phase. On the sell-in front, after stockpiling in late 2024 and peaking at +40% in March 2025 in view of tariff fears, the trend stabilised year-on-year. In April, the Trump administration applied an additional 10% tariff on EU imports, raising tariffs on Parmigiano Reggiano from the historic 15% to the current 25%. Before April, with tariffs at 15%, a 24-month Parmigiano Reggiano (sold in Italy at around €15/kg) arrived on the US market at around $42/kg; now, with the additional 10%, the average price touches $49/kg, and it is estimated that by early 2026, due to increases at origin and the euro/dollar exchange rate, it could exceed $55/kg. While expressing concern about the impact of these price rises on demand, the Consortium is confident in the EU's negotiation efforts to avert further unsustainable increases.

At the Javits Center (Italy stand), one-to-one meetings were held with trading partners to map out 2025 strategies and 2026 prospects, and guided tastings of the PDO were held. On Sunday 29 June, at the Peak restaurant on the Edge of Hudson Yards, Bertinelli met with institutions (including Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, Emilia-Romagna President Michele de Pascale, councillor Alessio Mammi and MEP Stefano Bonaccini), stakeholders and opinion leaders to illustrate US initiatives and discuss the tariffs dossier. On the evening of 30 June, at Tom Colicchio's Vallata, the president spoke with the American trade press to tell the media why it is worth spending a few extra dollars to buy the King of Cheeses, which can only be produced in Italy, in a well-defined area and respecting a strict specification that distinguishes it from the Parmesans found on American supermarket shelves alongside Parmigiano Reggiano.Also presented during the fair was the Parmigiano Reggiano Academy, launched in 2025 as an immersive training course for professionals in the large-scale distribution, restaurant, catering, and retail channels, with ad hoc sessions to make operators true "ambassadors" of the DOP. So far, more than 700 employees of over 20 chains, in Italy and abroad (including the USA), have participated: the goal is to double the numbers by the end of 2025. Lastly, the Consortium announced a multi-year partnership with the New York Jets, following the official sponsorship of the Miami Open 2025, with a digital, social and in-stadium marketing plan to strengthen brand visibility in the US.

"Participating in the most important trade fair in our first foreign market, after Italy, is an honour and a symbolic commitment of a constant presence in the US," Bertinelli reiterated. "With the opening of our corporation in New York in July 2024, we are working daily to grow in the United States at the forefront: they represent the future of our PDO. We are carefully watching the political scenario, but we are confident in the positive outcome of the EU negotiations and in the ability of American consumers to recognise and reward the excellence of Parmigiano Reggiano".