On Monday, October 19, as part of SIAL Paris 2026, the conference “From Pasture to Global Markets: The Value of Sardinia’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Cheeses” will take place. Promoted by the Region of Sardinia and organized by Laore, the regional agency for agricultural development, the event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 504, near the entrance to Hall 5A.
Sardinia will have a prominent presence at SIAL Paris 2026, with the Region hosting a collective exhibition of 15 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the agri-food sector in Hall 1, Stand B216.
The October 19 conference, which will be attended by Francesco Agus, Sardinia’s Regional Councillor for Agriculture, will focus on Pecorino Romano PDO, Pecorino Sardo PDO and Fiore Sardo PDO. These three cheeses will be presented not only as products of a longstanding dairy tradition but also as part of a broader system connecting livestock farming, local communities, landscapes and cultural heritage.
“SIAL Paris represents an important opportunity to introduce the quality and value of our agri-food products to an international audience. Pecorino Romano PDO, Pecorino Sardo PDO and Fiore Sardo PDO are three outstanding products that tell an important part of Sardinia’s history. Above all, they demonstrate the ability of our businesses to combine tradition, quality and innovation while meeting the expectations of consumers who are increasingly attentive to the origin, traceability and characteristics of the products they purchase.
Our presence in Paris also aims to strengthen the position of our PDO cheeses in international markets, consolidate relationships with commercial partners and create new sales opportunities. Engaging with importers, distributors, industry professionals and buyers is essential to understanding changing consumer demand and identifying new commercial opportunities for Sardinian products in an increasingly competitive market,” said Regional Councillor for Agriculture Francesco Agus.
The project aims to promote Sardinia’s PDO cheeses in international markets while highlighting the importance of sustainable local supply chains. PDO products play a fundamental role in the island’s agricultural and pastoral economy.
The conference will also provide an opportunity to connect traditional production methods with emerging consumer trends. Demand for authentic products rooted in tradition remains particularly relevant, reflecting both the appeal of genuine food experiences and growing consumer attention to health and well-being.
The discussions will cover sustainability, evolving consumption trends, innovation, traceability and opportunities for commercial development.
Particular attention will be given to the close relationship between food products, landscapes and cultural heritage. Every PDO product is shaped by its place of origin and maintains a deep connection with the territory from which it comes.
From an economic perspective, the conference will address the local economic impact of the PDO cheese sector and opportunities for exports. It will also explore the traditional and artisanal production methods that continue to distinguish these cheeses, alongside innovations in manufacturing processes, packaging and traceability.
The program will begin with an overview of Sardinia’s historical relationship with sheep’s milk production, presented by Massimiliano Venusti, Head of Dairy Supply Chain Development at the LAORE Sardinia Agency. The discussion will then turn to the specific characteristics of the three cheeses.
Pecorino Romano PDO will be the subject of a presentation by Riccardo Pastore, Director of the Consortium for the Protection of Pecorino Romano Cheese. His contribution will focus particularly on how a product with centuries of tradition has managed to reach markets far beyond its territory of origin.
This will be followed by a presentation from Annalisa Uccella, Director of the Consortium for the Protection of Pecorino Sardo Cheese, who will discuss the distinctive characteristics and versatility of the product.
Massimiliano Venusti will then introduce Fiore Sardo PDO, a raw-milk cheese that embodies the island’s artisanal cheesemaking expertise, passed down through generations of shepherds.
The conference will also serve as a platform for dialogue with importers, distributors and buyers operating in the French market, as well as food journalists and restaurant industry professionals. Its aim is to create new opportunities for knowledge-sharing, networking and commercial relationships within Sardinia’s dairy sector.
The event will conclude with a guided tasting of the three PDO cheeses, accompanied by Sardinian wines and traditional bread.
