2024 has proven to be a pivotal year for the Italian dairy sector. With over 657,000 tons of cheese exported and a growth rate of +10.7% compared to 2023, Italy reaffirms its position as an undisputed leader in the international food scene, surpassing €5.7 billion in export value.

This achievement reflects not only the strength of the positioning of Italian products and the leadership of Made in Italy in the culinary world, but also the commitment of a supply chain that has made quality, specialization and product culture its cornerstones.

Among the companies that best embody this spirit is Caseificio Ignalat, an Apulian dairy producer with artisanal roots and a global vision. For Ignalat, this export boom represents not just an opportunity, but also a responsibility, a call to do more.

“Exports have once again proven to be an essential factor for the growth of the Italian dairy sector, and a crucial lever for maintaining production levels, job stability, and strengthening the supply chain and its competitiveness” says Vincenzo Ignazzi, CEO and Export Manager of Caseificio Ignalat.

Fresh cheeses are leading international sales, delivering outstanding performance: Burrata, Stracciatella, and Mozzarella alone account for around half of the total export value, showing an increase of over 12%. According to Clal data, Southeast Asia stands out among the growing markets (+20% exports in 2024), with Japan leading the way (12,835 tons, +13.9%).

However, these numbers reflect a much deeper dynamic: this is no longer about occasional sales, short-term trends, or cyclical phenomena. This is the affirmation of a solid, informed global demand that seeks out authentic, identity-rich dairy products. This is supported by a long-term statistic: over the past ten years, exports have increased by 83% in volume, highlighting a global market transformation driven by the growth of the global population, fueling demand for dairy products, and by evolving dietary models that favor healthy eating patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, where cheese plays a key role.

In this context, Italy not only meets the growing demand but leads it, thanks to a unified supply chain that has invested in modernization and sustainability, but also thanks to an industrial vision that has understood the importance of diversifying its offer, without sacrificing its artisanal dimension.

Caseificio Ignalat plays a leading role in this scenario, exporting around 50% of its production. The company already has a strong presence in France, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Spain, and the United States, and is also growing in Asian and Middle Eastern markets. This challenge is met daily through investments in technological innovation and food safety. At its core, however, remains a focus on people: expert cheesemakers, artisans of taste, and guardians of a craft passed down through generations.

“International markets are clearly telling us they appreciate what we do. Now it’s up to us to respond with consistency, authenticity and vision”
Ignazzi concludes. 2024 has rewarded Made in Italy. For Caseificio Ignalat, the goal now is to consolidate this position, carefully select the markets to focus on, build strong and lasting business relationships, and enhance the uniqueness of Italian dairy products.

The success of Italian exports is not an end point, but the beginning of a new phase of conscious development, aimed at spreading awareness about the value of Italian artisanal cheese across the globe.