2026-06-22
Italy’s food and beverage exports reached €59.3 billion in 2025, up 5.1% from a year earlier, with Europe leading growth while shipments to the United States fell 4.5% amid the negative effects of tariffs, according to Nomisma’s observatory for Italia del Gusto.
The figures keep Italy in sixth place worldwide in agrifood exports, with a 4.6% share of global trade in the sector. Europe was the main growth engine, with exports to the region rising 7.3%, even as the U.S. stood out as the main weak spot among destination markets for Italian food products.
Nomisma said the broader backdrop remains uneven. Global GDP is expected to grow 3.3% in 2025, but performance differs sharply across regions. Emerging economies continue to drive expansion, while the euro area shows weaker and more fragmented growth. Inflation is also moving at different speeds, with more advanced normalization in developed countries and continued price pressure in some emerging markets, shaping demand and consumer behavior.
Food and beverage consumption is also diverging by geography. In emerging markets, especially India and China, per capita consumption rose 26% over 2019-2024, while growth was more limited in mature economies, according to the report.
Global trade remains highly concentrated. The United States, Germany, China, the United Kingdom and France account for about three-quarters of world demand. France and Germany remain especially tied to Italian agrifood supply: 9.9% of French food and beverage imports come from Italy, as do 9.3% of German imports.
Among individual markets, Poland posted growth of 21.6% and Spain 13%, while demand was weaker in some traditional outlets. Nomisma also highlighted Japan as one of the main reference economies for premium food products and one of the countries with the highest per capita food spending.
The report said Italy remains competitive in key global segments including coffee, baked goods, chocolate and cheese. That matters for drinks producers as well, because stronger European demand and rising consumption in Asia can support broader shelf space and distribution for Italian wine, bottled water, coffee and spirits, while weaker U.S. demand points to a more difficult export environment for beverage brands exposed to that market.
Italia del Gusto, a private consortium of Italian food and wine companies founded in 2006 by pasta entrepreneur Giovanni Rana, marked its 20th anniversary this week in Rome at the Chiostro del Bramante. The group now includes 30 companies across 38 product categories, with combined revenue of €22 billion and more than 53,000 employees.
Its members include major food brands as well as wine interests represented by Terra Moretti Group, whose holdings include Bellavista and Contadi Castaldi in Franciacorta, Petra in Suvereto, Acquagiusta-Tenuta La Badiola in Maremma, Sella & Mosca in Sardinia and Teruzzi in San Gimignano. Beverage-related members also include San Benedetto, Caffè Borbone and Vecchia Romagna.
The anniversary event brought together consortium companies and Italian officials including Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, ICE president Matteo Zoppas, Foreign Ministry Director General Mauro Battocchi and Deputy Director General Alfredo Conte.
Giacomo Ponti, president of Italia del Gusto and head of Ponti and Federvini, said the consortium’s experience shows that working collectively is not only an organizational choice but a strategic tool for competing and growing abroad. He said member companies have expanded their international business by combining experience, skills and different visions while strengthening the position of Italian products overseas.
Lollobrigida said Italy has a resilient system able to face commercial and geopolitical pressures. He also pointed to ColtivaItalia, a program worth €1 billion aimed at strengthening strategic agrifood supply chains and supporting sectors most exposed to difficult market phases.
During the event, Lollobrigida presented Rana with a commemorative coin dedicated to Italian cuisine’s UNESCO heritage recognition. Rana said he remains optimistic despite international uncertainty, arguing that Italian food continues to be strongly valued around the world.