Italian Wine Exports Fall 2.2% to €5.7 Billion as U.S. Market Drops 13% in September

Italian wine exports continued to decline in 2025, with the latest data from Istat, analyzed by WineNews, showing a drop in both value and volume through September. The total value of Italian wine exported worldwide reached 5.7 billion euros for the first nine months of the year, down 2.2% compared to the same period in 2024. This marks an acceleration of the negative trend seen earlier in the year, as August had already shown a 1.9% decrease. In terms of volume, exports reached 1.5 billion liters, a smaller decline of 0.9%, suggesting that prices are falling as producers try to adapt to weaker demand.

The month of September 2025 was particularly challenging, with export values dropping by 9.6% compared to September 2024, totaling 659.5 million euros for the month. The United States remains Italy’s largest export market for wine but saw a significant decrease: exports to the U.S. were valued at 133.2 million euros in September 2025, down from 153.1 million euros in September 2024—a drop of 13%. Over the first nine months of the year, U.S. imports of Italian wine totaled 1.35 billion euros, down 4.1% from the previous year. In volume, shipments to the U.S. reached 256.8 million liters, a decrease of about 2.3%.

Germany provided some positive news for Italian wine producers. As Italy’s second-largest export market and its top European partner, Germany imported Italian wine worth 843.1 million euros through September, up by 2.1% compared to last year, thanks to strong performance in recent months.

The United Kingdom showed a slight improvement over August but still posted a negative result: imports were valued at 587.6 million euros, down by 2.3% compared to last year.

Canada had been one of the bright spots for Italian wine exports earlier in the year but experienced a sharp reversal in September. After showing an annual increase of more than 11% through August, Canadian imports fell by over 5% in September alone, bringing the total for the first nine months to 318.1 million euros.

Other key markets also showed mixed results. Switzerland imported Italian wine worth 275.4 million euros through September, down by 4.2%. France increased its imports by 4.4%, reaching a value of 235.5 million euros, while the Netherlands saw an even stronger increase of 8.6%, totaling 185.5 million euros.

Belgium’s imports dropped by just over 4% in September after holding steady earlier in the year, with a total value of 158.7 million euros so far in 2025.

Sweden posted positive results with a rise of more than 6%, reaching nearly 143 million euros in imports from Italy.

Japan remains Italy’s largest Asian market but continued its downward trend with an annual decrease of about 8%, totaling just over 134 million euros.

Russia saw one of the steepest declines among major markets: imports fell by nearly a third compared to last year, reaching only about 134 million euros.

Austria also reduced its purchases by almost eight percent to just over 109 million euros.

Australia remained slightly positive at just over 56 million euros in imports from Italy.

China continued to struggle as an export destination for Italian wine: imports dropped by more than a quarter compared to last year and stood at just under 47 million euros.

Among Asian markets, only South Korea showed any improvement—albeit slight—with imports rising by less than one percent to reach about 37 million euros.

Brazil’s performance was largely flat compared to last year, with imports totaling just over 31 million euros.

The overall picture for Italian wine exports remains difficult as international demand softens and prices fall in response to weaker consumption trends abroad. The decline comes despite a plentiful grape harvest in Italy this year and growing inventories at wineries across the country.

While there are some positive signals from Germany, France and the Netherlands, these gains are not enough to offset losses elsewhere—especially in North America and Asia—leaving many Italian producers concerned about their prospects for recovery as they head into the final quarter of the year and look ahead to new strategies for international markets.