World Pizza Day, celebrated every year on January 17, is an opportunity to honor one of the world’s most beloved dishes and reflect on the importance of protecting this symbol of Italian culture.
“The Traditional Art of the Neapolitan Pizzaiuolo” represents Italy’s eighth recognition on UNESCO’s Intangible Heritage List and is the third national inscription in the field of food and wine tradition, (after ‘Mediterranean Diet,’ a transnational good inscribed in 2013, and ‘The Pantelleria Vine Bush’ inscribed in 2014).
Impressive numbers and growing trend
In Italy, the passion for pizza translates into astonishing numbers:
Annual production: nearly 3 billion pizzas, equivalent to about 8 million per day.
Ingredient consumption:
– 200 million kilos of flour
– 225 million kilos of mozzarella cheese
– 260 million kilos of tomato sauce
– 30 million kilos of olive oil
– Industry turnover: over 15 billion euros.
– Per capita consumption: Italians eat an average of 7.8 kilograms of pizza per year, an increase of 14 percent over previous years.
Globally, the pizza market continues to grow:
– Global market value: in 2024, the global pizza market was estimated at $151,254.2 million, expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.0 percent from 2024 to 2031.
– United States: Americans consume about 13 kg of pizza per capita per year, supported by more than 90,000 active pizzerias in the country.
– European ranking: In Europe, after the Italians, the largest consumers of pizza are the French, followed by the British, Belgians, Austrians and Portuguese.
Curiosities about pizza: from Guinness World Records to unusual baking methods
– World’s largest pizza: In 2012, a 1,261.65-square-foot pizza was prepared in Rome, named “Octavia” in honor of the first Roman emperor. This gluten-free pizza required more than 9 tons of flour.
– Longest pizza: In 2017, a Guinness World Record was set in Naples for the longest pizza in the world: 1.85 km. Baking was done with mobile ovens on rotation to ensure uniform quality along the entire length.
– Pizza in video games: Pizza has also become an icon in pop culture, appearing in famous video games such as “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Pizza Tower,” where it is depicted as a symbol of energy and vitality.
– Unusual cooking methods: Some innovative chefs have experimented with alternative methods of cooking pizza, such as using active volcanic lavas to reach extremely high temperatures and achieve a unique result.
ITA0039’s role in protecting authenticity
At a time when culinary authenticity is often under threat, ITA0039 – 100% Italian Taste Certification by ASACERT – is committed to protecting true Italian pizza. The certification identifies and promotes restaurants and pizzerias that respect the Italian culinary tradition, guaranteeing the use of authentic ingredients and traditional preparation methods.
This commitment is key in the fight against Italian Sounding, a phenomenon that damages the reputation of Italian products through poor quality imitations.
Pizza is not just a food; it is a global icon that combines tradition, innovation and culture. With World Pizza Day 2025, we celebrate not only its irresistible taste, but also the commitment to its protection and authenticity, thanks to initiatives such as those of ITA0039.