ROME: That figure, released Monday by Italy’s Parmigiano Reggiano consortium, represents 3.6 million wheels produced of the cheese, commonly known as parmesan in English.
While Italians still eat the majority of parmesan produced, exports are also rising, increasing by nearly 4 percent from 2016 to hit 51,000 tonnes, or 38 percent of total production.
France and Germany were the top two importers.
Further ripening the picture for parmesan producers was the increase in the average price to €9.81 per kilo, a 14 percent gain from the previous year.
Producers hope 2018 will melt last year’s record numbers, with 3.7 million wheels expected to be produced – 100,000 more than last year – and exports set to increase.
