Parmigiano Reggiano: The Consortium flies to Tokyo for Foodex

The greatest trade event dedicated to the agri-food sector in Asia is underway: over 72,000 visitors are expected in Tokyo from 5 to 8 March. The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium will consolidate its relations with Japan, an increasingly strategic market since the entry into force of EPA

Reggio Emilia, 4 March 2019 – The Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium will attend Foodex, the largest trade fair in Asia that will be held from 5 to 8 March in Japan. The event attracts over 72,000 visitors and will take place at the Makuharu Messe venue in the Chiba district, located in the Greater Tokyo Area.

The Consortium will be there with a stand in the international area of the trade fair - Hall 3, Stand 75-76. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese will also be available to taste at ICE’s “Cheese Point” and at the “EU Pavilion”, which is at Foodex to celebrate the entry into force - since February 1 - of the Economic Partnership Agreement.

At its Foodex stand, the Consortium will demonstrate, on two different days, the age-old ritual of breaking open the wheel: the “Parmigiano Reggiano Cutting Show” will be performed by a Consortium representative on Tuesday 5 and Thursday 7 March, at 11am. The event is free and no booking is required.

Japan is Parmigiano Reggiano’s fourth largest importer in volumes outside the European Union with 793 tons of product in 2017. This is a constantly expanding market that is discerning about Geographical Indication products, and the Consortium wishes to cultivate it by increasing investments in communication in order to highlight the distinctive characteristics of Parmigiano Reggiano.

In 2017 the King of Cheeses had an export share of 39% (+3.8% compared to 2016), equivalent to 49,603 tons of product: Japan in particular was the fourth non-European country in terms of volume, with almost 800 tons of Parmigiano Reggiano imports in 2017.  This market is destined to become increasingly strategic for the Italian agri-food sector following the entry into force of the EPA agreement (Economic Partnership Agreement) between the European Union and Japan.