Italian Agri-Food Exports Aim for €100 Billion Milestone

Italy aims to reach €100 billion in agri-food exports over the next five years, according to a report by The European House Ambrosetti and Teha Group. This target follows a record 2025 performance where shipments reached €73 billion, driven by strong global demand for pasta, processed tomatoes, and wine.

Strategic Diversification Beyond Traditional Markets

Italy’s agri-food sector is shifting its focus toward emerging markets to offset consumption declines. While the “Made in Italy” brand remains strong, data from Divulga indicates that domestic consumption in Italy has dropped 18% over the last 20 years. To counter this, the government and industry bodies are leveraging new trade agreements to open “frontiers” in Asia and South America.

The minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Francesco Lollobrigida, recently promoted a business forum targeting Central Asia, specifically engaging Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Azerbaijan. In Japan, the impact of the free trade agreement is already visible; Luigi Scordamaglia of Filiera Italia noted that exports reached €1.9 billion in 2025, spanning extra virgin olive oil, DOP/IGP cheeses, and quality wines.

The Wine Sector: Contrasting Regional Trends

The Italian wine industry faces a polarized landscape. According to the Italian Wine Union (UIV), exports to traditional powerhouses saw significant drops in the first four months: the US fell by 15.4%, Germany by 6.8%, and the UK by 6.1%. These declines are attributed more to falling consumption levels than to tariffs.

Conversely, the Mercosur region (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia) presents a growth opportunity. UIV reports a 36.4% increase in exports to this bloc, with Brazil specifically seeing a 17.8% rise. India is another high-growth target; Coldiretti reports that Italian sales there approached €90 million in the first five months of this year, a 19% jump compared to 2025.

Trade Agreements and Tariff Reductions

Trade barriers remain a primary hurdle, but recent diplomatic efforts are lowering costs for Italian producers. In India, tariffs on wine are projected to drop from 150% to 20%, though these incentives apply specifically to quality bottles priced above €2.50.

The EU-Mercosur free trade agreement is another critical pillar for growth. Coldiretti analysis shows a 13% increase in exports to this region in the first five months of the year. A central component of this strategy is the protection of Geographical Indications, with 57 Italian protected designations currently involved.

Australia also offers significant potential. The European Commission estimates a 48% growth for dairy products as tariffs are eliminated on cheeses, meat preparations, wine and sparkling wine, and confectionery.

Italy’s Global Agri-Food Standing

Italy currently maintains a dominant position in several key categories. According to the Ambrosetti-Teha report, the country is the world leader in exports of pasta and tomato purée. It also ranks as the top producer and second-largest exporter of wine globally. Within the European Union, Italy leads the “DOP economy,” which generates €20.7 billion in turnover.

The trajectory toward the €100 billion goal depends on the ability of Italian producers to transition from a reliance on traditional Western markets to a diversified global presence, supported by the recent UNESCO recognition of Italian cuisine.