Pecorino Romano PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) cheese is the representative product considered in LIFE MAGIS project within the sheep hard cheese product category.
Naturally lactose-free and with a millennial history, more than 95% of Pecorino Romano is produced in Sardinia (the remaining part is produced in Latium region and in Grosseto province). Pecorino Romano is by far the most important sheep cheese: within the PDO system it represents 52% of sheep milk-based products in EU and 85% in Italy.
The Consortium for the Pecorino Romano protection was created in November 28, 1979 and received the PDO label in 1996, but since 1951 Pecorino Romano was awarded the denomination of origin within the Stresa Convention.
Its production system, regulated by a product specification, involves 12,000 sheep farms, 25,000 workers and 40 cheese factories. The Pecorino Romano production value is equal to EUR 230 million.
Export is the main destination and it represents the 70% of the Pecorino Romano value. The most important market is United States of America, followed by European Union countries and Japan, Canada and Australia.
Three new type of products are coming to the market: “Extra”, with a reduced salt content, “Riserva”, aged for at least 14 months, and “Montagna”. An additional new entry is Snackorino, in a single 20-gram pack, easy to carry along as the ancient Roman Legionaries, who received an ounce of Pecorino Romano, used to do.