In the first part of 2026 the Veneto manufacturing has given some comforting signs of estate. despite theuncertainty global, exacerbated by the failure of the agreements between the United States and Iran, and the ever-rising energy prices, the Veneto industrial system has held up in terms of exports. Feedback comes from various points of the regional production geography: for example, from exports from eastern Veneto, according to the elaborations of Confindustria Veneto East relating to the provinces of Padua, Treviso, Venice and Rovigo.
In the first half of the year, the value of exports stood at 19.917 million euros, with an increase of +8,2% compared to the same period in 2025. It should be noted that the main driving force came from the decisive push of shipbuilding naval: however, even excluding the boat sector, the trend increase would still be positive (+1,7%). In the second quarter of the year alone, in the midst of international uncertainty with scenarios on Hormuz and conflict in the Gulf still unclear, the value of exports from Eastern Veneto (equal to 9.749 million) recorded an annual growth of 3,1%.
Businesses have demonstrated their ability to withstand shocks. Trade growth is increasingly concentrated in areas of the world that are increasing production, demand, investment, and technological capacity, such as China, which is flooding markets and even our territory with low-cost, high-tech goods, while Europe risks being left on the sidelines. For Italy and the Veneto, whose two main strengths are industry and international openness, the answer cannot be greater closure, but a new competitiveness strategy: more investment, more innovation, greater strategic autonomy, starting with energy and AI,” he observes. Paola Carron, president of Confindustria Veneto Est.
Veneto exports, stability depends on foreign markets
Among the goods sold abroad Between January and June 2026, the following sectors stood out: base metals and metal products (+6,4%), food and beverages (+3,0%), electrical appliances (+0,6%), and rubber and plastics (+4,2%). Textiles, clothing, leather, and accessories remained stable (+0,1%), while machinery and equipment (-0,6%) and, above all, wood and wood products (-2%) continued to decline. From a geographical point of view, theXNUMX-XNUMX business days absorbs more than half of foreign sales (58,8%), with the Germany e France slightly recovering (respectively +0,9% and +0,5%), while the Spain confirms the dynamism of its economy (+7%). Despite the tightening of tariff measures and the appreciation of the euro, growth in the United States also stands out (+6% in the second quarter), concentrated However, in the shipbuilding, machinery, and fashion sectors, import volumes and turnover from China continue to grow, driven by computers and electronic devices (+62,8%). Among the new export routes for Veneto, the Mercosur, driven by the free trade agreement in force since last May (in the first six months, exports increased by +22,8%).
Industrial production returns to positive territory
Other signs of resilience of Veneto businesses come from the findings of Confindustria Vicenza, with industrial production data returning to positive territory in the second quarter of 2026 after three years of negative trends (+1,1%). The 172nd economic survey by Confindustria Vicenza, relating to the second quarter of the year, records an improvement in manufacturing production compared to -1,7% in the first quarter of 2026 and -3,2% in the second quarter of 2025. recovery observed between April and June It was mainly supported by domestic demand and the European market. Looking ahead, regarding order backlogs, 26% of companies reported having coverage for more than three months, almost half between one and three months.
"We're at a starting point, a turnaround that needs to be consolidated. We're trying every way, and evidently succeeding, to overcome the obstacles posed by geopolitical tensions, rising energy prices, and international uncertainty. Now we need the conditions that make it possible to transform this recovery into a stable one: energy at sustainable costs and the ability to make the investments needed to be competitive in this world of obstacles. And this means regulatory clarity, clear deadlines for obtaining responses from the relevant authorities, and European legislation that stops being masochistic towards European industry and stops being the primary ally of products from China," he reiterates. Barbara Beltrame Giacomello, president of Confindustria Vicenza.
