Thirty-nine million kilos of Pecorino Romano PDO produced in the 2024/2025 season, involving nearly 9,000 breeders and 47 dairies, and 60% of production exported : these are the figures presented today at the annual meeting of the Pecorino Romano PDO Protection Consortium in Siamaggiore (Oristano). Sardinia remains the production hub , accounting for 92% of the total .
On the domestic market , sales in large-scale distribution grew for the second year in a row (+4.3%), for an overall estimated consumption of 123 thousand quintals , but the positive data on volumes is accompanied by a drop in value, deemed unjustified by the Consortium.
The United States remains the leading foreign market with 131,000 quintals, followed by the European Union (almost 55,000, +2.4%); the United Kingdom (+8.6%), Canada (+16%) and Australia (+19.6%) all saw strong growth .
The central issue – it was underlined – remains that of US tariffs: after the introduction of the new 15% tariff in August 2025 and its declaration of illegitimacy in February 2026, Washington imposed a general tariff of 10% through Section 122 of the Trade Act, which is still in force .
Throughout 2025, the Consortium conducted a diplomatic mission to Washington, D.C., with the law firm Gibbons, to build bipartisan consensus on the tariff exemption. On the protection front, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) declared the three-dimensional trademark for Pecorino Romano incontestable in the United States, while actions against the improper use of the name "Romano" in Central America continue.
"The data confirm the strength of a growing supply chain despite a complex international environment," said Consortium President Gianni Maoddi. "Unfortunately, the domestic market held steady in volumes in 2025 but experienced a progressive, unjustified decline in value. 2025 will be remembered above all for the intense diplomatic work carried out in the United States, including the US Congress.
