With production reaching 11,947 tons (-5.47% compared to 2024), the Bresaola della Valtellina PGI sector – represented by 13 companies certified by the CSQA (Agri-food Quality and Safety Certification) control body – closed 2025 confirming its resilience and resilience in a complex socioeconomic context . Despite rising production costs, which necessitated price adjustments, impacting consumer behavior and purchase frequency, the sector confirmed its solidity both in the domestic market and, especially, in foreign markets. This dynamism is also reflected in the consumer value, which rose to €502 million (+4.6% compared to 2024).
In 2025 , 836 tons of Bresaola della Valtellina PGI were exported (+32.34% compared to 2024) , 64% of which were distributed to EU countries (+17% on 2024) and 36% to non-EU countries (+70% on 2024), where several Middle Eastern countries stand out, especially Islamic countries.
However, despite signs of resilience in the sector, concerns remain high in the supply chain. The reduction in raw materials available on the European market is pushing producers to increase imports from non-EU countries, which are increasingly costly due to evolving international trade policies and customs barriers .
GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) licenses, which allow for the import of meat at a preferential 20% duty, remain subject to rigid and non-expandable quotas . In the current context, characterized by persistent raw material shortages, these licenses are no longer used solely for the import of premium cuts—such as the topside used to produce bresaola—but also for numerous other food industry processes, including those intended for the production of hamburgers and prepared foods. Consequently, the use of non-GATT imports has become structural and almost inevitable for producers of Bresaola della Valtellina PGI .
"The sector's 2025 outlook reflects the complex socioeconomic dynamics of recent years," states Mario Francesco Moro, president of the Bresaola della Valtellina Consortium . "The consumer value of €502 million (+4.6%) was also supported by the decline in production and the resulting price adjustment. Further impacting the sector are supply difficulties and the rising costs of non-EU imports, exacerbated by current international tariff dynamics. On the one hand, it is essential to support European producers, incentivizing them to increase production volumes to strengthen the continent's self-sufficiency. On the other, it is undeniable that, in the meantime, meat processing companies are suffering severe consequences, facing a shortage of raw materials that could jeopardize their stability."
In this context, 2025 will prove to be a challenging year for the Bresaola della Valtellina PGI sector, which demonstrates solidity despite an economic scenario characterized by severe pressure on production and procurement costs. The Consortium therefore emphasizes the need to create greater synergy between institutions, the supply chain, and industry operators, in order to address, with shared tools, the critical issues related to raw material availability and the growing impact of international price dynamics.
"The sector continues to demonstrate solidity and resilience, but without concrete interventions, it will be difficult to sustain this situation for long. Rising production costs, which have weighed on companies for years, can no longer be placed solely on producers. As a Consortium, we are committed to containing this imbalance, but a shared effort is needed along the entire supply chain, involving not only producers, but also distributors, institutions, and policymakers. Only through joint action will it be possible to effectively address the challenges of the current situation," concludes President Moro.
In March, the application for an ordinary amendment to the production specifications of Bresaola della Valtellina PGI was published in the Official Journal of the Italian Republic, and officially came into force today.
Among the main new features of the specifications is the strengthening of product traceability and tracking systems. Specifically, all stages of the production process must be documented through accurate recording of incoming raw materials and outgoing finished products.
This is complemented by the mandatory registration in special registers—managed by the delegated body—for all operators involved in the various phases, including processors, portioners, slicers, and packagers, as well as the timely reporting of quantities processed. These measures ensure full product traceability throughout the entire production chain, from upstream to downstream.