Italian wine exports fell 8.2% in the first quarter despite a modest rebound

Italian wine exports reached €1.7 billion in the first quarter of 2026, down 8.2% from the same period a year earlier, according to an analysis by WineNews based on Istat data. The figures still trail 2025 levels by a wide margin, but they also point to a clearer recovery than the one seen in the first two months of the year.

The regional picture was uneven, with Italy’s main wine-producing areas moving in different directions. Veneto remained the country’s leading export region by a large margin, with €621.4 million in shipments abroad, even as its total fell 9.7% from the first quarter of 2025. The region is home to Prosecco as well as Valpolicella, Soave and Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, and it continues to act as the main engine of Italian wine sales overseas.

Piedmont ranked second and was one of the few bright spots among the largest exporters. The region posted €255.2 million in exports, up 0.5% from a year earlier. Its portfolio includes Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Asti, Alta Langa, Gavi and Asti, and the modest gain allowed it to stay ahead of Tuscany in the quarterly ranking.

Tuscany placed third with €251.6 million in exports, down 8.3% from the same period in 2025. The region’s export mix includes Chianti Classico, Bolgheri, Toscana IGT, Chianti, Maremma, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

Together, Veneto, Piedmont and Tuscany accounted for €1.1 billion in export value and represented 66% of Italy’s national wine shipments in world markets, a share described as stable.

Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol ranked fourth with €124.5 million, posting one of the sharpest declines among the leading regions at -18.2%. Emilia-Romagna followed with €95.7 million, up 2.3%, supported by wines including Lambrusco and Sangiovese di Romagna. Lombardy came next at €72.1 million, down 1.3%, with exports tied to appellations such as Franciacorta and Oltrepò Pavese.

Among other notable performers, Puglia rose 4.9% to €61.7 million and Friuli Venezia Giulia increased 2.8% to €56.1 million. Abruzzo recorded a steeper drop, falling 10.9% to €54.5 million. Sicily closed out the top 10 with €37.9 million in exports, essentially flat at +0.1%.

The data matter for the beverage industry because they show how concentrated Italy’s wine trade remains in a handful of regions and how uneven demand can be across categories and territories. For importers, distributors and retailers in foreign markets, shifts in Veneto, Piedmont and Tuscany can affect supply planning, pricing and promotional strategies across sparkling and still wines alike. The first-quarter results also suggest that while some regions are regaining momentum, others remain exposed to weaker international demand or slower replenishment by buyers after a stronger 2025.

The figures are provisional, but they offer an early look at how one of the world’s largest wine-exporting countries is navigating 2026 after a softer start to the year. For producers across Italy, especially those tied to export-heavy denominations, the next quarters will be closely watched for signs that the rebound seen after the first two months can continue through the rest of the year.