Buffalo Mozzarella Takes Center Stage in Netherlands and Belgium
Amsterdam: Mozzarella di bufala, a quintessential symbol of Italian agrifood excellence, recently became the focus of a promotional event organized by Ice-Agenzia’s Brussels Office in the Netherlands. The event, held on September 15 in collaboration with the Consortium of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana Dop, drew over 70 participants, emphasizing the significance of this Italian specialty.
According to Ansa News Agency, the initiative was co-financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry and is part of the “Campagna d’Europa” project. This project is a traveling initiative designed to enhance and boost the export of Italian excellence, stemming from the collaboration between the Consorzi di Tutela della Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, Prosciutto di San Daniele DOP, and the Rotary Club of Mezzacorona.
The Ice Office in Brussels, which promoted the initiative, managed the organization of four planned stages: two in the Netherlands (Amsterdam and Utrecht) and two upcoming events in Belgium, scheduled for October 27 in Brussels and October 28 in Ghent. The Amstel Boathouse in Amsterdam hosted the opening event, where Tindaro Paganini, Director of the Ice Office in Brussels, presented promising data. He highlighted a 20 percent increase in Italian mozzarella imports to the Netherlands between 2023 and 2024, a trend supported by evolving post-pandemic consumption habits favoring home cooking and quality products.
Italian Ambassador to the Netherlands Augusto Massari also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the growth of bilateral trade relations. He noted the importance of bolstering the promotion of Made in Italy, as Italy currently ranks as the fourth largest supplier of mozzarella in the Dutch market, following Germany, Belgium, and Denmark. Gaetano Locci, representing the Consortium of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana in the Netherlands, concluded the event by underscoring the organization’s essential role in protecting the PDO, promoting local product quality, and ensuring sustainability.