Parma is at the center of the European Food Valley and, from an industrial
perspective, represents a major agri-food hub with significant economic and
employment impact. In 2023, the six main food supply chains in the area
generated over €11 billion in consumer revenue, with exports accounting for
around €5 billion—44% of the total—contributing 5% to Italy’s food exports
and 32% to those of the Emilia-Romagna region.

The leading sectors include Parmigiano Reggiano (€3.05 billion), Parma Ham (€1.7 billion), and Barilla (€4.9 billion), followed by tomatoes, dairy, and anchovies — with Parma being the national leader in anchovy production.
Parma’s agri-food industry includes over 1,000 companies and about 15,000 direct employees, which rises to 1,519 companies and 25,000 workers when including related industries.

This industrial success is driven by continuous investments in training,
technology, and  environmental sustainability, with a strong focus on internationalization: exports have nearly doubled over the past ten years, with
growing markets such as the United States, Canada, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Parma is therefore an agri-food industrial district that combines
quality, innovation, and market penetration capabilities, making it a strategic center for Made in Italy in the food sector.

Furthermore, Emilia-Romagna is known for its strong industrial sector, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Mechanical, food, textile, and pharmaceutical industries are especially prominent, driven by world-renowned brands such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ducati.
The region is a center of excellence in fields such as sports cars, robotics, machine tools and  packaging equipment, the food industry, ceramics, and
energy production—making it the Italian Motor Valley.