In the first quarter of 2024, Italian agri-food exports continued to prove a key pillar for Made in Italy, with a 6.6 percent increase over the same period last year. This resulted in an export value close to 7.1 billion euros, up 441 million euros. Italian agri-food exports bucked the trend of the manufacturing districts, which recorded a slight contraction of 2.7 percent*.
Good oil, wine, pasta, cured meats, sweets and fruit and vegetables, less so dairy products
The sector that contributed the most to this growth was oil, with a 65 percent increase. All three monitored oil districts recorded positive performances: +71.7 percent for Tuscan oil, +44.2 percent for Umbrian oil and +55.4 percent for oil from the Bari district. Forecasts for the 2023-2024 campaign indicate a 20 percent recovery in production, after the sharp reduction recorded in the previous year.
The wine sector achieved a 2.4 percent increase, reaching an export value of more than 1.5 billion euros. Wines from the Verona area and the Florentine and Sienese hills saw significant growths of 11.6 percent and 7.4 percent, respectively. Prosecco from Conegliano-Valdobbiadene remained stable (+0.4 percent), while wines from the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato contracted slightly (-2 percent).
As for pasta and desserts, the sector followed the positive trend of 2023, with 4.4 percent growth in the first quarter of 2024. The Alba and Cuneo dessert district contributed significantly to this result, with an increase of 18.9 percent. However, the pasta and confectionery sectors of the Campania districts experienced a sharp contraction, with the Neapolitan food sector down 33.2 percent and the Avellino food sector down 22.6 percent.
Despite adverse weather conditions, Romagna fruit and vegetables ended the first quarter of 2024 almost unchanged (-0.2%). Of note was the performance of South Tyrolean apples, which posted +16.9%, while the Piedmont hazelnut and fruit sector declined 17.8%. In the canning sector, growth was 8.4 percent, driven by the Nocera canning district (+10.5 percent) and the Parma food canning sector (+28 percent).
In the dairy sector, there were mixed results. The main district, southeastern Lombardy, suffered a slight decline of 3.7 percent, while buffalo mozzarella from Campania saw a 10.3 percent drop. In contrast, the Parma dairy district recorded a 36 percent increase.
In the meat sector, exports grew 6.1 percent, with significant performances from Parma cured meats (+17.6 percent) and Modena cured meats (+8.8 percent).
Main markets for Italian food goods
Germany is confirmed as the main market for Italian food districts, with 4.2 percent growth. Exports to the United States increased by 17.2 percent after declining in 2023, and exports to France (+1.9 percent) and the United Kingdom (+0.8 percent) show signs of recovery. Emerging economies, which account for 20 percent of exports, advanced 10.1 percent, with Poland (+10.3 percent) and Romania (+17.5 percent) showing strong growth. Also of note is the recovery of China (+6.9%) and Russia (+44.7%).
ITA0039 by ASACERT plays a key role in protecting and promoting authentically Italian food heritage. Since 2019, it has been certifying the excellence of Italian products through a network of certified restaurants abroad, ensuring that only genuine products get the right recognition. This is coupled with constant outreach and awareness work, helping to protect and enhance the value of Made in Italy.
*Source: Intesa SanPaolo
