Business enviroment

Parma is at the centre of the Italian Food Valley. Its overall high employment rate is 68.5%, of which 76.3% male and 60.7% female. Agriculture claims 2.7% of employment, industries 36.9% (dominated by the agri-food industry) and services 60.4%.

The industrial sector has a strong export component, particularly in engineering for the food industry, agri-food and pharmaceutics.

Historically, the economic development is due to the agri-food industry, covering the entire food chain: typical products and their producers’ associations, restaurants, renowned and award-winning chefs, Italian cuisine experts, food museums, agri-food industries, cultural and educational projects, and international, national and local food fairs and exhibitions.
Within Europe, Parma is the Italian province with the highest number of registered typical products protected by quality brands: PDO Parma Ham, PDO Parmigiano Reggiano, PDO Culatello di Zibello, PGI Porcini Mushroom di Borgotaro, PGI Coppa di Parma, CDO wines of the Parma hills and many others.

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