« Go back Made in Italy Food: The Manufacturing Sector Conquering the World
In 2023, the Italian food industry reached a turnover of 193 billion euros, becoming the leading manufacturing sector in the country in terms of its contribution to GDP, driven by record exports. According to data from Federalimentare, Italian food exports are expected to exceed 57 billion euros in 2024, with a 9.3% growth in the first seven months of the year, confirming a positive trend that has seen the value of exports double over the past decade.
Among the top exported products in 2024, wine leads with 5 billion euros, followed by the confectionery sector (4.3 billion), dairy products (3.4 billion), olive oil (2.6 billion), pasta (2.5 billion), and processed vegetables (2.5 billion). Key markets for Italian food include the United States, with a 19.7% increase compared to 2023, and Germany, which remains the top destination with 4.6 billion euros in food exports.
This international success has made the agri-food sector the largest contributing industry to Italy's GDP, outperforming other key sectors like automotive, furniture, and fashion. The sector employs over 464,000 people and comprises more than 60,000 businesses. Additionally, many of these companies are featured in the “Leader della crescita 2025” ranking by Sole 24 Ore-Statista, demonstrating the sector's ongoing expansion.
However, despite its commercial success, the Italian food industry faces challenges in terms of productivity. According to a study by the Rome Business School, the sector ranks only 15th in Europe for productivity, with an average of 45,000 euros per employee, compared to the EU average of 52,000 euros. To match the productivity of the top 10 European economies, the average size of Italian food companies would need to more than triple. Many of these companies are small and family-run, with an average turnover of 97 million euros and around 178 employees. This can pose a competitive challenge, especially in an increasingly globalized market.
In conclusion, while the Italian agri-food sector remains a driving force of the economy, the growth of companies and international competitiveness remain key challenges for the industry's future.d.
12 November 2024