CIBUS, THE SHOWCASE OF MADE IN ITALY. IT’S A STRATEGIC INDUSTRY FOR THE ECONOMY OF THE COUNTRY, WORTH 245 BILLION EUROS. CIA: "EXPORTS OF ITALIAN PASTA, CHEESE, WINE AND OIL KNOW NO CRISIS BUT NEED MORE SECTOR PROMOTION AND UNITY”

It accounts for 15% of the GDP each year and moves 245 billion euros in consumption, exports, distribution and satellite industries- it’s the Italian agro-food sector, in the spotlight starting today through May 10th at “Cibus”, the International Fair for gourmet and good food. The CIA, the Confederation of Italian farmers, explained that the event represents one of the most important international fairs for "Made in Italy" agricultural production and food industry.

Despite the economic crisis, says the CIA, Italian food continues to grow across the border, and not only on traditional markets like Germany or the United States, but also on the BRIC emerging markets. The “driving force” abroad is Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano (+22%), followed by Gorgonzola (+14%), pasta (+7.4%), olive oil, baked goods and cold cuts (+7%).

Even 2012 has started out well with exports - the CIA continues - and this is a very important result for the country's economy, because foreign demand is the main contribution that supports the agricultural sector, while domestic consumption was in a “dark” period in 2011 and fell 2%.

In order to maintain these rates of growth and ensure a widespread penetration even on the new strategic markets -says the CIA – there’s still a lot of work to do. Our exports of food products need greater unity among the various players in the distribution chain, with the strongest connection among farmers, processors and large-scale distribution, more detailed and targeted promotional activities. They need to be united to effectively fight counterfeiting and “Italian sounding” products that every year - including fake and imitation- "steal" 60 billion euros from the sector.