Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI confirms itself as one of the most representative symbols of Made in Italy worldwide, with an estimated consumption value of about 1 billion euros. Following are the data on production, supply chain and global markets presented on May 19, 2926 at the annual assembly of the protection consortium.
Production and supply chain in numbers
The total annual production of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI stands between 93 and 95 million liters. The certified supply chain includes:
– 59 vinegar houses;
– 165 producers of must and wine vinegar;
– 2,400 farms that cultivate 14,000 hectares of vineyards.
The Consortium represents 83% of certified production, a figure that underlines its central role in protecting and promoting the authentic product.
Export over 93%: Asia grows
Over 93% of production is destined for export and distributed in more than 130 countries. The production value ofexport exceeds 380 million euros, with an estimated consumption value of about 1 billion euros.
Despite the difficult conjunctural phase, compared to 2024 exports recorded an increase of +2,57%. and over 50% is destined to non-EU countries. The historically most important markets remain:
– United States;
– Germany;
– France.
In recent years there has been significant growth in Asia, driven by South Korea and Japan.
Resilience, despite global tensions
The supply chain of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI shows remarkable resilience in a complex international context, characterized by geopolitical tensions and transport instability.
The critical issues related to the Strait of Hormuz and the pressures on energy and logistics costs have highlighted the importance of overseeing trade routes and diversifying markets of destination, ensuring continuity in global distribution and economic stability for companies in the sector.
Italian sounding: a 120 billion threat
The protection of geographical indications is strategic for the international competitiveness of Italian companies. The global phenomenon ofItalian sounding, whose value is estimated at over 120 billion euros, demonstrates how crucial it is to defend the authenticity of products.
An effective contrast to this phenomenon, according to The European House – Ambrosetti, could accelerate the growth of theexport Italian agri-food sector from the current 73 billion (ISMEA, 2025) up to a potential of 126 billion euros.
In 2025, the activity of online monitoring by the Consortium for the protection of Modena Balsamic Vinegar IGP led to the correction or removal of 45% of the 1,055 links related to counterfeit products, strengthening international protection of the authentic brand.
‘Protecting our geographical indications does not only mean defending the history and quality of products, but also ensuring concrete economic benefits for companies and territories. The balsamic vinegar supply chain demonstrates how theauthenticity can transform into economic resilience, employment, and international growth', confirms Cesare Mazzetti, president of the Consortium for protection.
The UNESCO candidacy
The Assembly of the Consortium for Protection has also relaunched the UNESCO candidacy of the 'Tradition of Balsamic Vinegar among sociality, craftsmanship and popular culture of Modena and Reggio Emilia' as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity. The initiative follows the path of the recent recognition of Italian cuisine and is promoted by a wide territorial committee including:
– Consortium for the protection of Modena Balsamic Vinegar IGP;
– Consortium for the protection ofTraditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP;
– Consortium for the protection Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia PDO;
– Consortium of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena;
– Brotherhood of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia;
– Emilia-Romagna Region;
– Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests;
– Ministry of Culture.
Marta Strinati
Credit cover Consortium for the protection of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI
Professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and magazines (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). Author of investigative journalism on food, she published the volume 'Reading labels to know what we eat'.
