Italian DOP and IGP Wines Hold €11 Billion Momentum Amid Record Exports

The latest Ismea-Qualivita Report, now in its 23rd edition, shows that Italy’s DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) and IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) food and beverage sector continues to grow. In 2024, the so-called “Dop economy” reached a production value of €20.7 billion, marking a 3.5% increase over the previous year and a 25% rise since 2020. This sector now accounts for 19% of Italy’s total agri-food revenue.

The report, published in Rome and based on data collected throughout 2024, highlights that both food and wine with DOP or IGP status are performing well. The food segment grew by 7.7%, surpassing €9.6 billion in production value for the first time. Bottled wine remained stable at €11 billion. Exports set new records: for the first time, total exports of DOP and IGP products exceeded €12 billion, reaching €12.3 billion—an 8.2% increase from last year. Food exports crossed the €5 billion mark, while wine exports topped €7 billion.

The export growth was seen both within the European Union (+5.9%) and outside it (+10.4%). The United States remains the top destination for Italian DOP and IGP products, accounting for 22% of exports. However, nearly half of Italian producers reported negative effects from U.S. tariffs as of October 2025, prompting more than 60% of consortia to diversify their markets.

Italy’s DOP and IGP system is supported by a network of 328 consortia and about 184,000 operators across food, wine, and spirits sectors. Employment in these sectors rose by 1.6% in 2024, with an estimated 864,000 people working in the industry according to INPS labor data.

The report also notes a shift toward younger and more innovative entrepreneurs in the DOP and IGP supply chains. These businesses tend to have higher levels of specialized training and are more likely to adopt new technologies or multifunctional business models. As a result, their average standard production is more than three times higher than that of other Italian agricultural companies.

Regionally, growth was widespread: values increased in two out of three provinces across Italy. The North-West saw particularly strong results with a 7.1% increase, led by Lombardy’s fourth consecutive year of double-digit growth (+13.1%). The North-East remains the main engine of the Dop economy with an aggregate value of €11.24 billion; Veneto alone approached €5 billion in value.

Southern regions also performed well: Puglia grew by 12.2%, Calabria by 8.2%, Sicily by 4%, and Campania by 3.1%. The Center lagged slightly behind with a small decline (-0.9%), though Umbria (+3.4%) and Tuscany (+0.5%) showed some recovery.

In terms of product categories, cheese led the way with a production value increase of 10.5%. Olive oil saw an exceptional jump of nearly 47%. Other categories such as fresh meat (+4.3%), fruit and vegetables (+6%), balsamic vinegar (+7.9%), and pasta (+11%) also posted gains.

Among individual products, Grana Padano DOP cheese was the top performer with a production value rising to €2.19 billion (+23%). Parmigiano Reggiano DOP followed at €1.76 billion (+10%). In wine, Prosecco DOP maintained its lead at just over €950 million.

Supermarket sales (GDO) for DOP and IGP products reached €6.2 billion in 2024—a rise of 1.1%. Food products accounted for €4.3 billion (+1.2%), while wine made up €1.9 billion (+0.9%). Discount retailers showed the highest growth rates at +1.9%, with Southern Italy leading regional increases at +4.7%.

Despite a slight drop in the number of operators (-5.6% compared to last year), employment figures remain positive due to larger-scale operations and increased productivity among younger business owners.

The Ismea-Qualivita Report confirms that Italy’s commitment to quality food and beverage production continues to pay off both domestically and internationally, even as producers face challenges such as trade barriers abroad and shifting consumer preferences at home. The sector’s resilience is evident in its steady expansion across most regions and its ability to adapt through innovation and market diversification strategies.