“PIADINA ROMAGNOLA” celebrates 10 years of PGI: a decade of Tradition and Certified Quality

October 24, 2024, Rimini – On October 24, Piadina Romagnola celebrates an important milestone: the tenth anniversary of obtaining the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) mark. A certification that since October 2014 has protected the quality and authenticity of one of the symbolic products of the Italian gastronomic tradition, guaranteeing that Piadina Romagnola is produced exclusively in Emilia-Romagna, following precise rules established in the production specifications.

The traditional recipe in fact requires only 4 ingredients: wheat flour, water, salt, and fats, which can vary from lard to olive oil, based on local tradition. The use of preservatives or additives is strictly prohibited. Under the protection and control of the PGI, the production process must respect artisanal and traditional methods, guaranteeing the unmistakable thickness of the piadina which varies from 3 mm of the thin version from Rimini to 8 mm of the thicker one from the Cesena area.
The Protected Geographical Indication also enhances the bond with the territory: only piadinas produced in the provinces of Rimini, Forlì-Cesena, Ravenna and part of Bologna can boast the PGI mark.

Thanks to these rules, the PGI mark has helped protect Piadina Romagnola from imitations, allowing local producers to continue to pass on their art and offer consumers a genuine product, deeply linked to the land of Romagna. “Piadina Romagnola PGI is much more than a food product, it is a true symbol of our land and our tradition,” says Alfio Biagini, President of the Consortium for the Protection and Promotion of Piadina Romagnola PGI. “In these ten years, thanks to the protection of the PGI, we have managed to protect the artisanal roots of the product, guaranteeing consumers the highest quality and authenticity.”

From 2014 to today, the production of Piadina Romagnola PGI has recorded a constant increase, both in terms of volumes, with a +280% in ten years, and recognitions. Piadina Romagnola PGI has in fact been recognized and protected in about ten non-EU countries thanks to the protection work that the Consortium has introduced.

Thanks to the IGP, local producers have been able to enhance tradition and support the local economy, maintaining the use of quality ingredients and traditional production methods. Furthermore, piadina, thanks to its versatility and its unmistakable taste, has become “queen” not only in street food and at the Romagna table, but also in restaurants and kitchens all over the world.

The PGI represents a guarantee for the consumer, who knows he is buying a product linked to the territory and made according to rigorous quality standards. Over these ten years, the brand has made it possible to defend Piadina Romagnola from imitations and to enhance its authentic production.

“We are thrilled to have arrived to celebrate this tenth anniversary. Our goal for the future will continue to be the promotion and protection of Piadina Romagnola PGI, further expanding its presence in international markets, without ever losing sight of its roots and tradition,” concludes Alfio Biagini.

Piadina Romagnola, defined as “the bread of Romagna”, is a food that tells a story of simplicity and authentic flavors that, with the obtaining of the PGI, has consolidated its identity as a traditional product of excellence.

© 2024. Consorzio di Promozione e Tutela della Piadina Romagnola IGP