Finance
US Imports of Parmesan Slide in January, Iran War May Push up Prices
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 26, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 26, 2026
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U.S. imports of Italian Parmigiano Reggiano fell sharply in January over tariff and regulatory uncertainty, while the unfolding Iran‑Middle East conflict is expected to ramp up freight, packaging and energy costs, potentially raising cheese prices beyond the €15/kg baseline.
US Imports of Parmesan Fall Amid Tariffs, Iran War Likely to Hike Prices
By Giancarlo Navach
Impact of Tariffs and Middle East Conflict on Parmesan Imports
MILAN, March 26 (Reuters) - U.S. imports of Italian Parmesan fell 16% in January compared with the same month last year, amid uncertainty over tariffs, the head of the consortium of the cheese's producers said on Thursday, warning that conflict in the Middle East could push prices higher.
Export Figures and Market Overview
Nicola Bertinelli, president of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium representing about 300 producers in Italy's Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy regions, said exports accounted for more than 50% of total production in 2025, reaching 74,980 tons.
Last year the world-renowned Italian cheese recorded turnover of 3.96 billion euros ($4.27 billion) despite geopolitical tensions, volatile markets and mounting uncertainty in global trade.
The US Market and Growth Potential
The United States, Italy's largest foreign market, accounted for about 10% of output and has the potential to grow to 15%-18%, Bertinelli said, but the outlook is clouded by tariffs and the war in Iran.
Uncertainty and Producer Concerns
"The issue today is uncertainty," Bertinelli said at a news conference in Milan.
Logistics and Cost Pressures
Dubai is a key logistics hub for shipments to Asia, and the Middle East crisis is expected to increase freight and packaging costs, as plastics derived from oil refining become more expensive.
"There will be a price increase due to rising production costs and higher freight rates across the packaging industry," Bertinelli said.
The average price of Parmigiano Reggiano was about 15 euros per kilogram (2.2 pounds) in 2025, but that level could be exceeded as a result of the higher costs, he added.
Tariffs and Regulatory Challenges
Washington introduced additional import duties in April last year that lifted the total tariff burden on parmesan to about 25% from a previous 15%.
That move, combined with what importers describe as regulatory and operational uncertainty, has slowed shipments as buyers wait for clearer guidance before placing new orders, Bertinelli said.
Demand Outlook and Future Prospects
However, he added that underlying demand in the United States is not slowing, and there were some encouraging signs of a pick-up in imports in February.
(Editing by Gavin Jones and Hugh Lawson)
Key Takeaways
- •January U.S. imports of Italian Parmesan declined ~16% year‑on‑year amid elevated tariffs (from ~15% to ~25%) and importer caution over regulatory uncertainty.
- •Middle East turmoil, especially the Iran war, is driving up freight, war‑risk surcharges and oil‑linked packaging costs, putting upward pressure on Parmesan prices.
- •Despite headwinds, U.S. demand remains robust, and import volumes showed signs of a rebound in February according to the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium.
Frequently Asked Questions about US imports of Parmesan slide in January, Iran war may push up prices
1Why did US imports of Italian Parmesan fall in January?
US imports of Italian Parmesan dropped by 16% in January due to uncertainty over tariffs and regulatory changes.
2How could the Middle East conflict impact Parmesan prices?
The conflict may increase freight and packaging costs, leading to higher Parmesan prices in the US and other markets.
3What percentage of Parmigiano Reggiano production is exported?
In 2025, more than 50% of the total production of Parmigiano Reggiano was exported.
4How have tariffs affected Parmesan imports to the US?
Tariffs on Parmesan rose to 25% from 15%, slowing shipments and increasing overall import costs.
5Is demand for Parmesan slowing in the United States?
Despite the decrease in imports, underlying demand in the US is not slowing, and signs of recovery appeared in February.
