Parmesan producers have said it could become more expensive

Most people will have a block of parmesan cheese in their fridge to use in a range of Italian meals.

Producers of parmesan have warned that there could be supply issues on the way, making it harder to buy.

Parmesan could become more expensive, with prolonged periods of extreme weather making it more difficult to produce.

The weather means cows are producing less milk. (Image: Getty)

Why could parmesan become more expensive?

Temperatures reaching above 40C in the Emilia-Romagna region are causing cows to eat less and produce around 10 per cent less milk, according to the Grocery Gazette.

Nicola Bertinelli, the president of Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, has said the hotter weather has been affecting the quality and quantity of milk being produced.

Authentic parmesan cheese can only be made in five Italian provinces using milk from cows fed on locally grown grass and hay.

The lack of rainfall is also causing problems for the production process.

Nicola said: “If it doesn’t rain, grass doesn’t grow, hay cannot be produced and it’s impossible to obtain the milk needed to make the cheese.”

Farmers have been using fans and water-misting systems to keep cattle cool, but the equipment has increased electricity costs.

Climate-controlled warehouses used to age the cheese wheels are also using more power.

The daily energy consumption of the two warehouses operated by Magazzini Generali delle Tagliate rose by around 30 per cent during the most intense heatwaves.

Producers are worried that more frequent and prolonged extreme weather could push up the prices of parmesan while affecting the volume and quality of cheese.

GranTerre international sales director Paolo Ganzerli said: “If extreme events become longer-lasting and more intense, they will certainly have an impact on both the quantity and quality of milk, but above all they will lead to higher costs.

“We don’t want to be the last generation to eat it.”

The Parmigiano Reggiano industry supports thousands of jobs in the region and generates around four and a half million euros in annual revenue.

Exports made up more than half of global sales in 2025, with the US being the cheese’s largest overseas market.

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