Summary

The global ham market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 3% in the coming years, potentially reaching $47 billion by 2030. The cured meat sector, with which the ham market is closely tied, currently values at $483.71 billion and is expected to expand to $1073.66 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 8.3%. Production and cost pressures have been fueled by factors like African Swine Fever (ASF) and rising production costs, leading to global pork supply shortages and price surges that outpace average wage increases.

Italian Ham Market: Navigating Through Tradition and Innovation Amidst Rising Costs

In examining the recent developments within the Italian ham market, we find ourselves at a crossroads of tradition and innovation. Italian ham, particularly prosciutto, holds a revered place in the nation’s culinary heritage and continues to stimulate demand both domestically and internationally. Despite challenges such as increased production costs and the impacts of African Swine Fever on pig populations, the Italian ham market remains resilient, exhibiting growth trends and adapting to accommodate shifting consumer preferences. The global ham market is projected to expand steadily, reaching a value in the vicinity of $45 to $50 billion by 2030. However, specific to the Italian scenario, revered products like Prosciutto di Parma faced a notable contraction of about 5 to 6 percent in 2020. Nonetheless, exports have managed to cushion this setback with a modest 2 to 4 percent decline, amounting to sales of nearly 2.5 million hams. Italy’s market sees a significant proportion of its ham consumption domestically, with roughly 70 to 75 percent sold within the nation and the remainder exported.

Producibility challenges have also impacted the ham industry, with European pork production dipping by 700 thousand tons (approximately 4 to 5 percent) in 2022 compared to the previous year. Germany and Spain have been particularly affected by this trend. These supply limitations in tandem with heightened demand have accelerated the rise in pork prices by over 50 percent in 2022, reaching over €200/100kg. Despite these headwinds, Italian cured meats, including raw and cooked prosciutto, continue to experience robust demand, valued at about €3.75 to €3.80 billion for domestic production. With an industry markup of around 18 percent, the market value for ham in Italy can be estimated at approximately €4.3 to €4.5 billion. Internationally, exports of Italian cured meats surged forward with growth rates of about 14 to 15 percent for both raw and cooked hams. Predominant export destinations include Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Belgium, reinforcing Italy's reputation as a top purveyor of premium charcuterie. The COVID-19 pandemic and African Swine Fever have dealt blows to the sector, causing disruptions in supply chains and a decline in demand from restaurant closures. Nevertheless, the sector showed signs of recovery post-pandemic, pointing to the Italian ham market's resilience. Demand for Italian ham is nuanced.

Prominent Producers in the Italian Ham Industry

Italy has a long-standing tradition in the production of ham, renowned internationally for its quality and variety. In the thriving ham market, multiple players contribute to this prestigious reputation by offering an array of products that cater to diverse consumer preferences and markets both domestically and abroad. Some of the most influential manufacturers in this sector include:

  • Grandi Salumifici Italiani S.p.a. : Based in Modena, this company is a significant force in the Italian meat products market. Its commitment to combining traditional methods with modern production techniques has enabled it to offer high-quality cured meats, including several types of prosciutto, to a broad customer base.
  • Salumificio Fratelli Beretta S.p.a. : Operating from Barzano, Salumificio Fratelli Beretta is a historic brand with roots stretching back several centuries. As one of the oldest Italian companies in its sector, it has a rich heritage in crafting exceptional prosciutto and other cured meats cherished both in Italy and internationally.
  • Giuseppe Citterio Salumificio S.p.a. : From its base in Rho, Citterio has been a synonym for quality in the Italian cured meats market. The company takes pride in its craftsmanship and attention to detail, which have led to producing some of the finest prosciutto available on the market.
  • Rovagnati S.p.a. : Rovagnati, headquartered in Biassono, has earned a reputation for innovation within the industry. Known for its famous prosciuttos and other specialty meats, the company combines respect for tradition with a progressive approach to product development.
  • Amadori S.p.a. : Located in San Vittore di Cesena, Amadori is another high-profile name in the ham production arena. With a focus on sustainability and quality, they deliver a variety of ham products that cater to the taste and health-conscious consumers.
  • Italia Alimentari S.p.a. : This Busseto-based company plays a crucial role in the meat processing market, especially in the domain of Prosciutto di Parma. Italia Alimentari's commitment to authenticity and regional traditions helps maintain the integral reputation and high standards associated with Italian hams.
  • Cesare Fiorucci S.p.a. : Cesare Fiorucci, working from Pomezia, continues to make its mark by offering an assortment of cured meats, including prosciutto, that are recognized for their excellent flavor profile.
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Summary and extracts

1 Market Overview

1.1 Definition and presentation

Ham is a cut of pork. In food, it is mainly used in the creation of two cured meats: prosciutto crudo and prosciutto cotto. Technically and more correctly, in the Italian language the term prosciutto refers to a cut of meat from the hind limb of the pig, from the hip to the first row of tarsal bones, commonly known as the thigh. Although in rare cases it can be cooked and served fresh, most hams are cooked or cured. The ham market can be segmented by form (fresh and frozen), process (air-cured and smoked hams), buyers, sales channels (supermarkets, specialty retailers, and online retailers), and geographic region.

The global ham market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 3 % in the coming years, and reach a value of $47 billion by 2030.

Considering Italian production, Prosciutto di Parma is one of the most attractive products offered by this market. However, it ended 2020 with a significant production reduction of 5.6 %, as the year 2020 showed a general contraction of the ham market. On the other hand, exports managed to at least partially contain the crisis, with a 3 % decline and 2.5 million hams sold. Despite the reduction in production, demand for Parma Ham accelerated during the pandemic, especially for pre-packaged ham, which is characterized by low prices and longer shelf-life of the product itself. This solution has also been relevant for exporting the ham to more distant countries. Specifically, in Italy there are 140 companies specializing in the production of Parma Ham. Of their total production, 71 % is sold in Italy, and the remaining 29 % is for export.

However, there are also other types of ham that are produced in the Italian territory, including Prosciutto di San Daniele, Culatello and Prosciutto cotto, and which also hold an important reputation in foreign markets.

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Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Grandi Salumifici Italiani
Salumificio Fratelli Beretta
Giuseppe Citterio S.p.A.
Rovagnati
Amadori
Italia Alimentari S.p.a.
Cesare Fiorucci S.p.a.
Rigamonti Salumificio S.p.a.
Villani S.p.a.

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