With a trade balance of 230 million in 2025, Australia is on its way to becoming one of the most interesting markets for Piedmont Given the expected approval of the free trade agreement with the European Union in the coming months, Piedmont already ranks fourth among Italy's largest exporting regions, with a total value of €302 million. Exports are led by food, beverages, and tobacco (41,6% of the total, a significant increase compared to 2024), followed by machinery and equipment (20,1%), transportation equipment (9,0%), pharmaceuticals (6,1%), chemicals and products (5,8%), and electrical appliances (5,0%). Imports amounted to €72 million last year, with a highly concentrated product mix: 83,9% of the imported value consisted of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. With this in mind, an institutional meeting organized by Confindustria Piemonte between the Australian Ambassador to Italy, Julianne Cowley, and the regional industrial and economic system took place this afternoon in Turin.
Statements from the Ambassador and Confindustria Piemonte
After eight years of negotiations, Australia and the European Union have reached a free trade agreement. I want to speak very directly about what this agreement means for you as business leaders: lower costs, greater certainty, stronger protection for Italian excellence and a clearer path to one of the world's most dynamic regions. In parallel, we signed a Security and Defence Partnership, and Australia has now completed the process of association with Horizon Europe. Taken together, these are not isolated diplomatic announcements. They are the foundation of a deeper partnership: trade and investment; security and defence; education, research and innovation. I would like to thank Confindustria for its ongoing support and commitment along the path that led to this agreement. I, like previous Australian ambassadors, have always found Confindustria to be a valuable partner, focused on how trade policy can create real opportunities for businesses. It is therefore fitting that Confindustria members—many of whom are present today—are among the most obvious beneficiaries of this agreement. For some of you, Australia already represents a major export market or investment destination. For others, it may still seem distant. My message today is simple: this agreement closes that gap, makes the opportunity clearer, and strengthens the business case,” he said. Ambassador Julianne Cowley.
"Today's meeting is the first step in creating a network of relationships between our production systems and the conditions for new trade and investment opportunities, in both directions. The European Union is working with Australia on a free trade agreement, which, together with those signed with the Mercosur countries and the one with India, will facilitate and accelerate bilateral agreements and business opportunities. This will increase the demand for institutional and commercial connections, operational tools, qualified services, and support capable of transforming opportunities into new and increasingly strengthened industrial relations," he added. the president of Confindustria Piemonte, Andrea Amalberto.
"The ratification of the free trade agreement with the European Union is expected in 12-18 months and aims to eliminate over 99% of tariffs on European exports and guarantee strategic access to critical raw materials. It is within this framework that, as Confindustria Piemonte, we want to further strengthen our companies' ability to seize the opportunities offered by international markets. Because it is precisely in the most complex phases like the current one that the strength of our industrial system, its export vocation and its ability to adapt, emerges," he emphasized. Alexander Battle, President of the Internationalization and Investment Attraction Commission of Confindustria Piemonte.
Trade data with Australia
In 2025, Italian exports to Australia reached €5.379,3 million, a slight decrease (-1,0%) compared to €5.433,6 million in 2024. Italian imports from Australia stood at 567,8 million euros in 2025, down 3,6% from €588,8 million in 2024. Approximately 547 Italian companies have a stable and direct presence in Australia, primarily operating in the food, optical, energy, and infrastructure sectors. They employ 45.364 people and generate a total turnover of €20,6 billion. Through production plants, commercial branches, or representative offices, they operate in almost all sectors: energy and engineering (ENI, Enel, Saipem, Prysmian), infrastructure and construction (Webuild, Rizzani de Eccher, Ghella), financial services (Intesa Sanpaolo), fashion and luxury (Zegna, Armani, Ferragamo, Max Mara, Tod's, Gucci, Luxottica, Ferrari, Maserati), fitness (Technogym), and food products (Barilla, Lavazza, Campari, Ferrero).
The community of Italian origin exceeds one million people, with over 160.000 residents born in Italy (2021 census). Italy and Australia celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024. The two countries share a long tradition of cooperation, strengthened by the presence of a large Italian-Australian community (over one million people of Italian origin according to the 2021 census) and a dense network of bilateral agreements in science, technology, culture, and social security.
