Italian agri-food remains one of the pillars of the national economy, recording very positive performance in the first eleven months of 2025. Agri-food exports approach 67 billion euros, marking an increase of 5% compared to the same period of the previous year, while theexport national total grows by 3,1%. ISMEA data also highlight positive signs on the agricultural added value front, with an increase of 0.6% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the third quarter of 2024, and food industry production, which grew by 4.5% in the first nine months of 2025.
Overall, the trend of trade flows suggests a year-end closing that may stabilize theexport around 73 billion euros, marking a new historical record for Made in Italy agri-food. This result is particularly significant in an international context still characterized by uncertainties related to geopolitical tensions and protectionist trade policies.
Among the sectors that have most contributed to the growth of exports are confirmed excellence products of the Italian tradition. The Coffee roasted, bakery and confectionery bakery and confectionery industrial, the PDO and PGI cheeses, the ham and cured meats, and fresh fruit fresh fruit represent the most dynamic categories on international markets. These products express the distinctive value of Made in Italy, founded on the quality of raw materials, production variety, and respect for territorial traditions.
The competitiveness of the Italian agri-food sector is based on companies' ability to innovate while preserving authenticity, combined with public support interventions for the sector. Since the beginning of the mandate, the Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture of Food Sovereignty and Forests led by Francesco Lollobrigida, has made available over 15 billion euros of investments for the primary sector, mobilizing unprecedented national resources.
The growth of agricultural added value and employment
In the third quarter of 2025, the Italian GDP grows by 0.1% compared to the previous quarter and by 0.6% year-on-year, while the agricultural added value records an increase of 0.8% compared to the second quarter and 0.6% compared to the same period in 2024. Particularly significant is the employment data: the agricultural workers are growing by 1% over the second quarter of 2025 and 1.5% over the third quarter of 2024, showing a positive trend for a strategic sector that often suffers from generational turnover difficulties.
A decisive contribution to this dynamic has come from the wine sector, whose production in the 2025/2026 campaign is estimated at around 47 million hectoliters, with an 8% increase that gives Italy the world lead in volume. Positive results are also recorded for the harvest of processing tomato, increased by 11% compared to 2024, and for the summer fruit, with the production of peaches and nectarines increased by 0.5% compared to the previous year.
The food industry accelerates production
Following the primary phase, production rhythms of thefood industry. The industrial production index of the sector gained 3% compared to the second quarter of 2025 and the 4,5% compared to the same quarter of 2024. In the first nine months of 2025, the domestic food consumption accelerate by 4%, confirming the recovery of volumes for many products in the shopping cart.
Among the most dynamic sectors are eggs with an increase of 6.7%, the bread grown by 3.1%, the fresh vegetables increased by 2.9%, the tomato purees increased by 2%, the fresh cheeses with a plus of 3.9%, the yogurt risen by 4.9%, the poultry meats increased by 2% and the sparkling wines which record a brilliant +5.8%. These data testify to a return to normal consumption after the contractions related to inflation increases in previous years.
Italian cuisine and the UNESCO recognition
It is precisely the Mediterranean diet, founded on quality of raw materials, seasonality, and variety of productions, that strengthens over time the competitiveness of Italian supply chains and the attractiveness of Made in Italy on global markets. In this context fits the recent recognition UNESCO of the ‘Italian cuisine, between sustainability and biocultural diversity’, registered in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
This achievement enhances artisanal knowledge, dedicated territories, and culinary traditions handed down through the centuries, further supporting the image of theItalian agri-food sector in international markets. The recognition represents a strategic asset for the promotion of Made in Italy products, strengthening the indissoluble bond between food quality, environmental sustainability, and cultural diversity that characterizes the national gastronomic identity.
Trends by sector
Cereals
The 2025 cereal campaign records contrasting results for the different crops. The Italian durum wheat reaches about 3.6 million tons, with an increase of 3.4% favored by higher yields and more favorable climatic conditions, with an overall good quality profile. Durum wheat prices showed some volatility, ranging from 290.92 euros per ton in July 2025 to 271.50 euros in September, then rising to 274.90 euros in December.
The soft wheat Italian stands at about 2.5 million tons, recording a slight decrease compared to 2024. Prices remained relatively stable, fluctuating from 247.61 euros per ton in July to 245.42 euros in October, up to 246.79 euros in December 2025.
The Italian maize Highlights instead a marked growth, with the cultivated area increased to about 541 thousand hectares, marking an increase of 9.2%. Yields reached 10.2 tons per hectare with an increase of 2.5%, bringing total production to 5.5 million tons, an increase of 11.9%. News of great strategic value for livestock supply chains (milk and pigs). The price in September 2025 stood at 238.56 euros per ton, recording an increase of 6.1% compared to September 2024, when it quoted 224.88euro per ton
Wine
The global wine campaign 2025/2026 is estimated at 232 million hectoliters, up 3% compared to the previous season. TheItaly confirms itself world leader with a production of 47 million hectoliters, marking a significant increase of8%. Stocks at July 2025 amount to 40.6 million hectoliters, of which 38.2 million are wine, substantially stable compared to the level of July 2024.
The sparkling wine segment proves particularly dynamic sparkling wines, with domestic sparkling wine consumption up 5.8% in volume and 5% in value in the first nine months of 2025. This trend confirms the growing appreciation of Italian consumers for quality sparkling wines, driven by the denominations Prosecco, Franciacorta and Trento DOC.
Extra virgin olive oil
The 2025/26 olive harvest is characterized by an average load of the trees, with a production increasing compared to the previous campaign mainly thanks to the contribution of the southern regions. Consequently, the average prices of theItalian extra virgin olive oil have on average fallen slightly below 8 euros per kilogram, settling at still high but more accessible levels compared to the peaks of previous seasons.
On the front ofexport, in the first nine months of 2025 exports of Italian extra virgin olive oil reached 303 thousand tons, recording a notable increase of 17%. This result confirms the international appreciation for the superior quality of Italian EVOO, particularly demanded in North American and Asian markets.
Fruits and vegetables
The fruit and vegetable sectorfruit and vegetables confirms its vocation forexport. In the first eight months of 2025, exports increase by 3.9% in quantity and by 6.3% in value, with a positive trade balance of 1,739 million euros. This result is mainly generated by the component of products processed, which contributes 1,680 million euros, while fresh products contributed 59 million euros.
Industrial processing therefore represents the highest value-added segment of the Italian fruit and vegetable supply chain, with the tomato preserves, the Fruit juices and the vegetable preparations that conquer international markets.
Beef
The sector of Italian beef meats shows an opposite trend compared to the European context. In Italy, in the first nine months of 2025, the production increases by 1.2%, while in the European Union there is a decrease of 4% in the first eight months of the year. The prices have recorded increases significant across all market segments.
The restocks have seen increases up to 45% on an annual basis, the vealers grew by 25% compared to the third quarter of 2024, the calves by 15%, and the cows by 43%. These rises reflect the scarcity of European supply and strong domestic and foreign demand for quality Italian beef.
poultry meats
The poultry sector confirms its role as leader in the meat market in Italy. In the first nine months of 2025, the production grows by 4.3%, while theexport increases by 2.3% with a positive trade balance of over 70 thousand tons. Live chicken prices have shown a favorable trend for producers, rising from 1.58 euros per kilogram at the end of September, up 17% compared to September 2024, to 1.60 euros per kilogram in November, marking a 7% increase.
In the first nine months of 2025, poultry meats represent 44% of the total meat purchases by Italian families, with volumes growing by 3% and value increasing by 9.7%. This data confirms the growing consumer preference for more accessible and versatile animal proteins in the kitchen.
Pork and cured meats
The Italian delicatessen continues to conquer foreign markets. In the period January-August 2025, the export of cured meats increases by 5.7% both in volume and value, confirming the international appeal of Italian traditional products. The exports By ham boneless, increased by 1.8% in volume and 3.7% in value, of sausages, risen by 5.3% in volume and 6.9% in value, and of cooked hams, increased by 8.7% in volume and 5.2% in value.
On the domestic market there is a slight recovery in domestic consumption of cured meats, which grew by 0.7% in volume in the first nine months of 2025, signalling a recovery in demand after the contraction in previous years.
Dairy products
The European dairy sector records a production of cow's milk slightly increasing in the first nine months of 2025, equal to +0.5%. In September, the average European price stands at 53.4 euros per 100 kilograms. In Italy, cow's milk production grows by 0.3% in the first nine months of 2025, while in October 2025 the farmgate price reaches 57.3 euros per 100 litres, confirming the ‘premium price’ of Italian milk destined for PDO productions.
Between January and August 2025, theexport of Italian cheeses records asurge of 14,9% in value and 5.6% in volume. Particularly brilliant is the performance of Grana Padano e Parmigiano Reggiano, with an increase of 2.2% in volume and 20.4% in value. Parmigiano Reggiano confirms a very positive trend, with prices continuing to rise and double-digit changes, supported by strong international demand and the enhancement strategies of the Protection Consortium.
Sheep and goat sector
The sheep and goat sector shows signs of stability and growth. The Pecorino Romano PDO maintains prices steady at 12.5 euros per kilogram in the January-September 2025 period, while pecorino exports register a 1.7% increase in volume in the first eight months of 2025. Sheep milk in the Sardinian area stands at about 160 euros per 100 litres, VAT included, in the third quarter of 2025.
On the front of sheep meats, in September the prices reach 5.04 euros per kilogram for light lambs of 8-12 kilograms and 4.81 euros per kilogram for heavy animals of 12-20 kilograms, respectively increasing by 14% and 19%. Slaughterings increase by 4%, highlighting a sustained demand for Italian sheep meats, particularly appreciated during holiday periods.
Conclusions
The ISMEA data for the third quarter of 2025 confirm the solidity and competitiveness of the Italian agri-food sector in global markets. The projection towards 73 billion euros of exports at the end of the year represents a historic milestone, the result of product quality, entrepreneurial capacity, and public sector investments. UNESCO's recognition of Italian cuisine as an intangible cultural heritage further strengthens the strategic positioning of Made in Italy food products, highlighting the inseparable link between tradition, territory, and sustainability that characterizes the national gastronomic identity.
Marta Strinati
Image by Klaus Stebani from Pixabay
References
- ISMEA. Report – AgriMarkets. III quarter 2025. https://www.ismeamercati.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeAttachment.php/L/IT/D/1%252F4%252Fb%252FD.8bca0e598a8ac204cdf1/P/BLOB%3AID%3D13754/E/pdf?mode=download
Professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and magazines (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). Author of journalistic investigations on food, she published the book 'Reading labels to know what we eat'.
