After closing 2023 with a 4,5% surge in foreign markets compared to 2022, the districts food Italian continue to perform well in the first quarter of 2024: the exports reached almost 7,1 billion euros, with an increase of 441 million compared to the same period last year (+6,6% at current prices). This is what emerges from the Monitor of Italian agri-food districts as of March 31, 2024, curated by Research Department of Intesa Sanpaolo. The data confirm that the Italian agri-food sector is growing by 6,7%, unlike other manufacturing districts which are showing a slight decline (-2,7%).
Wine, pasta and sweets boom but Campania districts suffer
Il sector wine recorded a growth of 2,4% in the first three months of 2024. The ten districts monitored exported over 1,5 billion euros, partially recovering the decline of 2023 (-0,7% compared to 2022). Among the stars of the sector, the district of the Wines of Verona stands out with a double-digit growth (+11,6%), followed by the Wines of the Florentine and Sienese hills (+7,4%). The Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene maintains almost the same levels as the first quarter of 2023 (+0,4%), while the Wines of Langhe, Roero and Monferrato show a slight contraction (-2%).
The supply chain of pasta and desserts continues to thrive (+4,4% in the first quarter of 2024, after +4,8% in 2023). Among the most valuable districts, the Alba and Cuneo sweets sector stands out with an impressive increase of almost 75 million euros (+18,9%), and Veronese sweets and pasta recorded excellent double-digit progress (+16,4%). However, the Campania districts for pasta and desserts see cali significant: Neapolitan food falls by 33,2% and Avellino food by 22,6%.
Agriculture between ups and downs, canning on the rise
La spinneret agricultural makes a slight progress (+0,6%) in the first quarter of 2024. Despite the adverse climate (drought, late frosts and floods), Romagna fruit and vegetables remain almost unchanged (-0,2%), while South Tyrolean apples leap forward with a +16,9% and Western Ligurian floriculture shows a growth of +10,7%. On the contrary, Piedmontese hazelnuts and fruit mark a decline of -17,8%.
Le conserve perform well on foreign markets with an increase of 8,4% in the first quarter of 2024. The main district, Conserve di Nocera, contributes significantly to growth with an increase of 41 million out of 65 total (+10,5% trend), while the preserves of Alimentare di Parma increase by 28%.
Meat and oil in great shape, dairy and rice in difficulty
In the sector of meat, which grew by 2024% in the first quarter of 6,1, Parma cured meats (+17,6%) and Modena cured meats (+8,8%) stand out.
The sector dairy shows lights and shadows: the main district, the Dairy of South-Eastern Lombardy, records a slight decline (-3,7%), and the Mozzarella di bufala campana drops by 10,3% after a +7,4% in 2023. However, the Dairy of Parma shines with an increase of 36%.
Il oil sector is the big protagonist with a growth of 65%. All three oil districts showed double-digit increases: Tuscan Oil (+71,7%), Umbrian Oil (+44,2%) and the Bari oil sector (+55,4%). Production forecasts indicate a recovery of 20% for the 2023-24 campaign, after the 37% collapse in the previous year.
La rice supply chain It is the only one to close with a slight contraction (-0,8%), with Riso di Vercelli stable and Riso di Pavia down 1,7%.
Il coffee sector grew by 8%, with the Trieste Coffee District leading with +13,8%. Logistical problems and climate change have had a significant impact on coffee prices.
The Polesine and Veneziano Ittico district increased by 19,8%, as efforts to combat the invasion of the blue crab continue.
Agri-food: exports to the US and emerging markets grow
La Germany remains the leading commercial partner for the products of the agri-food districts (+4,2%). Flows towards the United States (+17,2%) after a decrease in 2023 (-1,4%), and increases are also recorded for France (+ 1,9%) and UK (+0,8%). Emerging economies, which represent 20% of district agri-food exports, show a 10,1% increase on a trend basis (compared to +5,8% for advanced economies), with Poland (+ 10,3%), Romania (+17,5%), and recovery for China (+ 6,9%) and Russia (+ 44,7%).
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“The Italian agri-food sector continues to grow even in recent months: it thus confirms itself as one of the most brilliant sectors for exports, despite complex scenarios from a geopolitical and climatic point of view – declared Massimiliano Cattozzi, Head of the Agribusiness Department of Intesa Sanpaolo –. To increase competitiveness and growth in foreign markets, Intesa Sanpaolo continues to operate by providing investment support thanks to the over 6 billion euros provided by the Agribusiness Department, from 2021 to today, to SMEs in the agri-food sector alone with medium- and long-term financing specifically aimed at sustainability, innovation and digitalisation. It is about supporting the projects of even smaller companies mainly in the transition and sustainable development processes that Intesa Sanpaolo supports through the programme. Your future is our business to give ever greater impetus to Made in Italy agri-food”.
