With cheese prices slipping while raw materials prices multiply, producers of Italy's parmigiano reggiano are turning to the government to remedy a dire situation. The wholesale price of parmiggiano reggiano has fallen below the cost of producing it. Cheese prices have dropped as the result of two factors. First, the availability of parmesan has increased: The sector produces 11 percent more cheese compared to eight years ago. Second, Italians are reacting to the economic downturn by purchasing less of the so-called "King of Cheese."
Producers complain that a select group of supermarkets are able to dictate low prices by buying the bulk of the cheese produced. "This is a prized product. There ought to be policies to safeguard those who produce it," said farmers group Coldiretti.
The group is lobbying the government to temporarily suspend an antitrust law so that producers can cooperate together to reduce output, rather than being wiped out by the competitive market.
Have you heard about the parmigiano reggiano crisis? Have you bought less parmesan cheese as a result of the rising cost of raw materials?
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If the price has supposedly dropped, why does my supermarket continue to charge super high prices for it?
1Supermarkets have to sneak in profits wherever they can manage them. I think fancy cheese is still considered a luxury item at most.
I have switched from buying good Parmigiano Reggiano to the cheaper generic parmesan. It's still fresh and not the dried powdery stuff, but the quality isn't there. I also buy less of the fancier cheeses in general now.
2It would be a great tragedy if this was allowed to happen; this is one of the great food products of the WORLD. I buy the domestic stuff sometimes, but the original is worth every penny (or lire or euro). I agree with Verily, though, I would buy a hell of a lot more if it were a bit less expensive.
Save the Parm!
3I don't buy parmesan often at all.
4what? I had not heard specifically about parmiggiano reggiano and these problems. I have not cut back on it. having some in my fridge is a staple.
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