Italian Wine Exports Drop 3.7% in 2025 as US Tariffs and Weak Dollar Hit Sales

Italian wine exports faced a notable decline in 2025, with new data showing the sector was significantly affected by US tariffs and a weaker dollar. According to the Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) Observatory, using figures from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), the total export value of Italian wine reached €7.78bn ($8.9bn) last year, marking a 3.7% decrease compared to 2024. Export volumes also dropped by 1.9%, totaling 21 million hectoliters.

The United States, traditionally one of the largest markets for Italian wine, saw a sharp contraction. Exports to the US fell by 9.2% in value to €1.76bn, representing a loss of €178m and accounting for nearly 60% of the overall export deficit. The UIV’s analysis points to US tariffs and currency fluctuations as primary causes for this downturn.

Lamberto Frescobaldi, president of the UIV, commented that these challenges serve as a “wake-up call” for the Italian wine industry. He emphasized the need for greater commercial activity, improved management strategies, and stronger collaboration with institutions to diversify into new markets beyond traditional partners.

Exports to non-EU countries overall dropped by 6.4% in value to €4.6bn. Within the European Union, however, export values remained relatively stable, increasing slightly by 0.5% to nearly €3.2bn. Among non-EU buyers, only Brazil showed growth, with export value rising by 3.8%. Other major markets such as the UK, Canada, Switzerland, and Russia all recorded declines.

Within the EU, Germany’s import value held steady while France and the Netherlands saw increases of 3.6% and 5.6%, respectively. Paolo Castelletti, secretary general at UIV, described the difficulties faced in non-EU countries during the second half of the year as unprecedented. He noted that in the US market alone there was a nearly 23% drop in export value during this period, with bottled still red wines experiencing declines as high as 28%. The average price for Italian wine exports to the US also fell by 10.8%.

Regionally within Italy, leading wine-producing areas were not immune to these trends. Veneto saw its export value fall by 1.2%, Tuscany by 2%, and Piedmont by 2.2%. Sparkling wines performed somewhat better than still and semi-sparkling wines; sparkling wine exports declined by 2.5% in value to €2.3bn, while still and semi-sparkling wines dropped by 4.3% to €5bn.

The data highlights how international trade policies and currency shifts can quickly impact even established sectors like Italian wine exports. Industry leaders are now looking at ways to adapt their strategies and explore new markets in response to these ongoing challenges.