Record price over 14 euros per kilo , turnover of 600 million a year , 12,000 companies and 40 dairies , 25,000 employees , exponential growth on international markets, projects in Japan, Germany, the United States, Great Britain, Switzerland and Italy and a now advanced towards product sustainability and respect for the environment.
The assembly of members of the Consortium for the protection of Pecorino Romano DOP , gathered in Siamaggiore (Oristano), certifies the golden moment of an increasingly popular product , thanks also to the diversification of the offer and to the innovation, which projects it into the future while maintaining its typicality. With positive effects on the entire supply chain: the quotation of the product ensures a fair remuneration also for shepherds.
This is what emerged in the speech of the president of the Consortium, Gianni Maoddi , who recalled how the budget ended in balance again this year. Once again a solidarity fund is planned for farmers in difficulty and resources reserved for solidarity initiatives, such as those already implemented for the pediatric ward of the Brotzu hospital and for the Pink Flamingos cycle-pedal against cancer.
«We had an increase in production recorded in the first part of the campaign, rebalanced by the downsizing of production in the last one. In the end, we will have a production of 2,000 tons more than last year's 30,000, an increase of 5-7%» explained Maoddi.
The assembly was attended by the president of Afidop and the Gorgonzola Consortium Antonio Auricchio , the president of Origin Cesare Baldrighi , the presidents of the Consortiums who two years ago they donated tens of thousands of euros to farmers affected by the Montiferru fire.
The MEP Paolo De Castro spoke, as well as the regional councilor for agriculture Valeria Satta , the general of the carabinieri for agri-food protection Daniel Melis .
In closing, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Francesco Lollobrigida who sent a speech to reiterate that «the Consortium is one of the clearest examples of the distinctiveness of the national agri-food sector capable not only of producing income and employment but also of giving value to local productions and oppose homologation». "As a government - continued Lollobrigida - we intend to continue to promote and enhance the Pecorino romano DOP to protect your business".
The minister recalled the difficulties associated with the war in Ukraine , the increase in energy costs which add up to a series of structural weaknesses starting with the excessive fragmentation of the sheep and goat supply chain and the problem of generational turnover . «We need to focus on young people by encouraging and motivating them to carry on this excellence of Italian agri-food and avoid the depopulation of the territories. The Meloni government is at the forefront of this ».
According to the minister, brand protection and expansion into new markets are essential.
MEP Paolo De Castro spoke directly from the headquarters of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. "We are working on the new regulation on geographical indications, with new regulations, new powers for consortia, more attention to the world of the PDO economy which is growing more and more".