The Protection Consortium has released historical figures: the number of certified culatelli has risen from 5,500 in 1996 to the current 82,570, with a record 102,000 in 2022. And over the last 10 years, there has been a boom in pre-sliced products
Thirty years of Protected Designation of Origin. The Culatello di Zibello Consortium celebrated this prestigious milestone, achieved in 1996, at the conference “30 Years of Culatello di Zibello PDO: Results, Markets and Prospects for Internationalisation”, held at the Teatro Regio in Parma. A thirty-year journey that has seen the Culatello di Zibello PDO Protection Consortium grow exponentially, as the figures also show.
Whilst 5,500 units were recorded in 1996, by 2025 this figure had risen to 82,570, with an all-time high of 102,591 achieved in 2022 following the post-Covid recovery. But even looking at the last 10 years, the Consortium — which brings together all 20 PDO producers, employing a total of around 250 people across direct and related sectors — has achieved results of great significance. The number of sealed culatelli rose from 62,945 in 2015 to the aforementioned 82,570 last year (+31%), with retail turnover almost doubling from €14.5 million to the current €24 million (+65%).
And the pre-sliced sector undoubtedly achieved the greatest results. In 2015, production in this sector stood at 4.6% of the total, whereas by 2025 the figure had risen to 41.5%, with 34,392 culatelli sent for processing; a growth that has taken the number of trays produced from 71,000 ten years ago to 1.07 million recorded last year, and which has also translated into the sector’s turnover, rising from €604,000 to the current €14.5 million. Furthermore, the Consortium, which is responsible for safeguarding and promoting the quality and authenticity of the product, has achieved several objectives over the last 30 years.
The most significant of these was the update to the production regulations in 2025, which introduced changes throughout the supply chain. The most significant change concerned the maximum weight at marking, which rose from 5 to 6 kg, and that of the carcass (from 190 to 195 kg), designed to encourage a trend now well-established among producers: the pursuit of longer maturation periods, up to 48 months.
From traditional advertising to digital tools such as Newsletter and Direct Email Marketing. Let's build together the most effective communication strategy for your growth.
Find out
From traditional advertising to digital tools such as Newsletter and Direct Email Marketing. Let's build together the most effective communication strategy for your growth.
Find out