Typical product of quality and cooperation: Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO cheese, production, trade and cooperative management indexes

The Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is a Protected Designation of Origin product (PDO), under Reg. EEC 2081/92. The production of Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO cheese has been characterized by a great transformation in recent years. In the sector it is possible to note an increase in production and a reduction in the number of farms and processing firms (cheese dairies), with a consequent increase in the average size of farms and dairies. Moreover, the market prices of Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO cheese have also experienced relevant variations in recent years. The processing cooperation, through the contribution of milk from agricultural firms as cooperative members, has historically characterized the production of Parmigiano-Reggiano PDO cheese and the cooperative model is the prevailing type of firm in the sector still today. This work examines the income level, assets and financial structure in a cooperative cheese dairy firm and in a cooperative trading firm of grade II applying indexes. In this way it is possible to obtain an analysis of the balance sheet and an analysis through efficiency indexes that show the flexibility of the firm management. It is possible to note that the cooperation role is not limited to a simple association activity with the purpose of processing milk into cheese, but also that it is useful to develop trade strategies of the product in order to obtain benefit for the producers, with an approach of member companies to market orientation and the evaluation of aspects related to the efficiency of the firm management.