UK demand for Parmigiano Reggiano has grown by 44% over the past five years, with momentum continuing despite ongoing household budget pressures. The cheese is delivering a sustained strong performance in the UK grocery retail sector, with consistent growth in both sales and consumption.
Parmigiano Reggiano is delivering consistent growth in both sales and consumption, supported by a increased production system that delivers over 4 million wheels annually (4.19 million wheels against the 4.079 million of 2024). In turn, the cheese generates a significant economic impact, with a consumer turnover of 3.96 billion euros, reinforcing its role as a premium driver within the speciality cheese category. The category has proved resilient as shoppers continue to prioritise quality and versatility, supporting value growth even as price sensitivity remains high.
Its success reflects shifting consumer preferences towards authentic, minimally processed foods with clear provenance. Made using just milk, salt and rennet and aged for a minimum of 12 months, Parmigiano Reggiano aligns closely with demand for natural products while offering strong everyday usage across cooking, dining and snacking occasions, helping retailers benefit from repeat purchases and cross-category usage.
Changing eating habits are also supporting the cheese’s growth. As shoppers seek premium ingredients, speciality cheeses are increasingly benefiting from trading-up behaviour within the cheese aisle. Parmigiano Reggiano’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, strict production standards and nearly 1,000-year heritage, provide clear differentiation for retailers looking to add value to the category.
Health and wellness trends are further boosting interest. Naturally lactose-free and with high-quality proteins and high calcium content present in a bioavailable form, Parmigiano Reggiano has gained increased visibility on social media, where food and nutrition creators are spotlighting its nutritional credentials, digestibility and versatility. This online attention is helping translate awareness into real-world purchasing, particularly among younger shoppers.
Broader market trends continue to support performance, including the growing popularity of Italian cuisine and demand for convenient, ingredient-led meal solutions. Production remains concentrated in a small region of northern Italy (which includes the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Mantua to the right of the Po river, and Bologna to the left of the Reno River), where 287 dairies commit to following traditional methods, reinforcing authenticity and quality credentials that resonate strongly with today’s consumers.
Nicola Bertinelli, president of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, said: “Parmigiano Reggiano continues to demonstrate how premium products can drive value for retailers. Consumers are increasingly choosing cheeses that offer authenticity, trusted origin and genuine quality, which have become key drivers in purchase decisions. Parmigiano Reggiano’s distinctive flavour, versatility and clear provenance are helping retailers to attract shoppers seeking products that deliver both everyday enjoyment and premium appeal, creating strong opportunities to grow value and differentiate the cheese offering.”
For grocery retailers, Parmigiano Reggiano’s continued growth reflects wider premiumisation within cheese, as shoppers increasingly choose products offering trusted origin, craftsmanship and clear value beyond price, positioning the category as a reliable source of margin growth.
