The Culatello di Zibello PDO, a coveted delicacy hailing from the Parma region, is staging a comeback reminiscent of its pre-Covid heyday in production, sales, and exports. “This resurgence owes much to the strategic push in retail through pre-sliced product trays,” highlights Romeo Gualerzi, President of the Protection Consortium.

In 2023, close to half of the culatellos produced were earmarked for pre-slicing, constituting a substantial 46% of the total annual production (37,424 pieces out of 81,324). This translates to over a million trays hitting the market, commanding a consumer value of 10 million euros—a remarkable leap from the meager 8.7% slice share, valued at 1.6 million euros, back in 2017.