Italian agri-food district monitor in 2023: exports +4.5% vs. 2022
According to the Italian Agri-food District Monitor published by Intesa Sanpaolo's Research Department, as at 31 December 2023 the sector's exports were up 4.5% on 2022 to nearly €27 billion. The result is in line with that for all Italian agri-food exports, +5.8% in 2023, of which the districts account for 43%.
All sectors ended 2023 with an increase in exports compared to the previous year. Particularly noteworthy are canned goods (+10.1%) and rice (+15.9% for the Pavia district, +26.1% for the Vercelli district). Negative result only for the wine sector (-0.7%), which, however, remains number-one in terms of export values at €6.5 billion.
Germany remains the leading trade partner for agri-food district products (+6.7% in 2023), despite its economic slowdown. Flows to the US declined (-1.4%) but grew in France (+7.5%) and the UK (+6.6%). Emerging economies, which account for one-fifth of agri-food district exports, posted +2.9%, two points less than advanced economies.
"The great appreciation of Italian food and beverages abroad continues to grow and make it increasingly interesting for companies to strengthen their presence in foreign markets. In service of this development and competitiveness, we have allocated €20 billion to the sector thanks to the agreement (Link 1) signed with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF), together with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP).”
Massimiliano Cattozzi, Head of Intesa Sanpaolo’s Agribusiness Department
Intesa Sanpaolo provided €15 billion for the agri-food sector from 2020 to 2023. Its commitment to supporting and developing Italian agriculture is expressed through two dedicated structures:
- The Agribusiness Department, which looks after more than 84,000 customers throughout Italy thanks to a network of about 250 operating points, 88 branches and over 1,000 professionals.
- The IMI CIB Division is active on the financial side with specialised solutions to support strategic initiatives.
Wine chain
Number-one in terms of export values with more than €6.5 billion, the wine sector is the only one to show a slightly negative sign in 2023 (-0.7% on an annual basis thanks to a partial recovery in the last quarter), resulting above all from the setback on North American markets (United States -7.4% and Canada -9%).
Districts:
- Prosecco District in Conegliano-Valdobbiadene +4.3%
- Wines and spirits from Friuli +9.2%
- Wines and spirits from Bolzano +6.6%
- Wines and spirits from Trento +2.3%
- Wines from Langhe, Roero and Monferrato -4.4%
- Wines from the Florentine and Sienese hills -4.5%
- Veronese wines -1.9%
Pasta and confectionery chain
The slight drop in the fourth quarter (-0.6% year-on-year) does not affect the positive balance for the year 2023 (+4.8%), i.e. €214 million more sales in foreign markets. Of this, as much as €142 million was attributable to the Alimentare di Parma pasta and confectionery district.
Districts:
- Confectionery products from Alba and Cuneo +5%
- Food products from Naples -4%
- Food products from Avellino -10.4%
Agricultural district chain
The excellent performance in Q4 2023 (+14.2%) brings the balance for the whole year back into positive territory (+3.2% compared to 2022).
Districts:
- Fruit and vegetables from Romagna +1.7%
- Agriculture in south-western Sicily is growing strongly, with the PGI Pachino tomato areas registering a 38.4% increase in exports
- Fruit and vegetables from Agro Pontino +14%
- Fruit and vegetables from Bari -3.3%
- Apples from Alto Adige -1.8%
The canned goods chain
In 2023, exports increased by +10.1%.
Districts:
- Preserves from Nocera +10.3%
- Alimentare di Parma canning areas +24%
- Fruit and vegetables and preserves from the Foggia area +21%
- Alimentare di Avellino canning area -2%
Meat chain
Overall, was up +5.6% in 2023, while concealing contrasting dynamics between its constituent districts.
Districts:
- Meat from Verona +12%
- Cured meats from Parma +12.7%
- Cured meats from Alto-Adige +14.3%
- Cured meats from the Modena area +5.9%
- Meat and sausages from Cremona and Mantua -13.3%
- Cured meats from Reggio Emilia -11%
The poultry sector appears to have entered a phase of normalisation, while the global pork market continues to be affected by the problems related to the spread of swine fever.
Dairy chain
Positive dynamics overall with +2.6% in 2023.
Districts:
- Lombardy -2.1%
- Reggio Emilia -2.7%
- Parma area +11.5%
- Sardinia +9.8%
- Mozzarella di Bufala from Campania +7.4%
Olive oil chain
In pricing, 2023 was a record year for olive oil: low production (including from Spain) caused the production cost of Italian EVO oil to rise by around 50%. Export value growth of olive oil districts continues unabated: +15.1% in 2023.
Districts:
- Olive oil from Tuscany +17.8
- Olive oil and pasta from Bari +30%
- Olive oil from Umbria -0.9%
Rice chain
The low global production caused by the drought, coupled with India's export ban, pushed white rice prices to highs in 2023. Both districts achieved double-digit value growth:
- Pavia +15.9%
- Vercelli +26.1%
Coffee chain
The coffee chain recorded an increase in exports in 2023 of +5.3%.
Districts:
- Coffee and confectionery from Naples +13.7%
- Coffee from Trieste +8%
- Coffee, confectionery and chocolate from Turin +2.4%
Fish chain
The Polesine and Venetian seafood sector recorded a 6.1% increase in exports: progress in trade with Germany (+21%) and Croatia (+13.5%), offset by the drops on the French (-12%) and Spanish (-3%) markets.
Last updated 21 June 2024 at 09:02:02
