Italian sausages and cold cuts - export record in 2011

Despite the economic crisis of 2011, for the Italian sausage makers it has been a successful year. This sector has reported a record, namely an export of 138,000 tons of sold products (+11% compared to the previous year) with a value of 1 billion and 40 million euros.

This result is very important, since both the milestone of one billion euros was exceeded and because an increase in the double digits for the second year in a row has been reached.

As expected, Lisa Ferrarini, the President of ASSICA (Italian Association for the meat industry) was very pleased: "In the last five years, we have had two very deep crises. These two crises have taught us that we have to look far beyond the borders of the European Union. An analysis of the data suggests that our companies, given the difficulties of Europe, have been searching for the most promising markets with the highest potential population and income growth. This they have implemented with great success."

However Ferrarini has also touched a sore point in the field of veterinary regulations which restrict or even prohibit the sale of Italian sausage in some non-EU countries. These countries, however, are potential growth markets. This is why the President wishes determined actions by the authorities: "The abolition of these restrictions would lead to a growth in the industry and could ensure employment and development in this sector. Therefore they need to act quickly and effectively. Otherwise we face a lost of significant market positions."