Italian agri-food districts: exports +12.8% in 2022

In 2022 the exports of Italian agri-food districts increased by 12.8% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching over €25 billion and confirming the growth trend of total national agri-food exports (+15.3% in 2022), of which the districts represent 44% in terms of exported values.

These are the findings of the Monitor of Italian agri-food districts as at 31 December 2022, published by the Intesa Sanpaolo Studies and Research Department, confirming the excellence and quality of products grown and processed in Italy.

The study takes an in-depth look at the provinces of Forlì-Cesena and Ravenna, which were affected by the inclement weather emergency in the first half of May 2023, as they are home to an important agri-food district, Ortofrutta Romagnola, and numerous livestock farms, especially poultry farms: Intesa Sanpaolo acted promptly to support them with a substantial aid package, including dedicated €2 billion financing.

Monitor of Italian agri-food districts as at 31 December 2022 - highlights:

• The number-one sector in terms of export values is the wine sector, which will reach €6.6 billion in 2022 (+9.4%) with the largest contribution coming from the Prosecco district of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene (+25.3%) and in second place the wine district of the Florentine and Sienese hills (+11.6%)
• It is followed by the pasta and confectionery chain, which in terms of export values exceeds €4.4 billion: the pasta and confectionery sectors of Parma (+18.1%) and Naples (+45.3%) stand out, as does the Alba and Cuneo confectionery district (+8.9%)
• Widespread growth for almost all canning districts, which as a whole recorded +23.6%. Good results for the fresh and cured meats chain, which as a whole grew by 7.3%, with Modena Cured Meats at +16.7% and Verona Fresh Meats and San Daniele Prosciutto in slight decline.
• The olive oil chain continues to accelerate, growing by +27.6%: excellent results for the Tuscan olive oil district at +27.9%, for Umbrian olive oil at +22.9% and for the olive oil and pasta district of Bari at +36.6%.
• Exports to major destination markets are growing: Germany is confirmed as the leading buyer for the agri-food districts with a total of €3.4 billion. It is followed by the United States and France.

Intesa Sanpaolo's economists believe that for 2023 the impact of the inclement weather emergency in Emilia Romagna on the various districts – and especially on SMEs and households – will need to be taken into account. The damage caused cannot yet be quantified, but the weight of such production at the national level may be calculated.