Italian Wine Exports to U.S. Plunge 28% as Government Proposes €100 Million Boost

The Italian government has proposed an increase of 100 million euros per year to support the internationalization of businesses, including the wine sector, as part of its new budget bill. The measure, announced by the Council of Ministers in recent days, would raise the annual fund for trade promotion and internationalization managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, along with ICE (the Italian Trade Agency), to 250 million euros per year for the period 2026-2028. This proposal still requires approval from both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.

The move comes at a challenging time for Italy’s wine industry, which is facing declining consumption and increased tariffs in key export markets. The Unione Italiana Vini (UIV), Italy’s main wine industry association, welcomed the government’s attention to these issues. The UIV’s national council met today at the Avignonesi winery in Montepulciano, Tuscany, where they discussed the potential impact of the new funding.

Lamberto Frescobaldi, president of UIV, highlighted that Italian wine exports are heavily dependent on foreign markets, especially the United States. According to Frescobaldi, 24% of Italian wine exports go to the U.S., making it the highest share among Italy’s top ten exported goods to that country. He expressed hope that this unique position would be considered when allocating resources and called for continued investment in export promotion to strengthen the image of Italian wine abroad.

Recent data from UIV’s Wine Observatory show a significant drop in sales to the United States. In July and August 2025, exports fell by 28% compared to the same period in 2024. Over the first eight months of this year, sales to non-EU countries declined by 3%. These figures underline the urgency of supporting Italian wine producers as they navigate a difficult global market.

The UIV council also used its meeting in Montepulciano to elect two new vice presidents: Filippo Polegato, CEO of Astoria Vini, and Marzia Varvaglione, business developer at Varvaglione-Vigne & Vini. Varvaglione also serves as president of both the Comité Européen des Entreprises Vin (CEEV) and Agivi, the association of young Italian wine entrepreneurs.

Industry leaders see the proposed funding as a positive step toward helping Italian wine producers compete internationally. They argue that increased support for export promotion is essential for maintaining Italy’s position as a leading wine exporter and for responding to new challenges in global trade. The final decision on the budget will be made in the coming months as it moves through Italy’s legislative process.