in 2021 exports of Italian agri-food districts have recorded a positive balance, exceeding the figure of 22 billion euros and realizing an increase of 9,2% compared to 2020. This is what emerges from the Monitor of Agri-Food Districts by the Intesa Sanpaolo Studies and Research Department.
In detail, the overall export dynamics of Italian agri-food districts is in line with the evolution of Italian exports of food and beverages, which exceeded the 2021 billion mark in 50. An upward trend that has continued uninterrupted since 2010 and has not stopped even during the pandemic.
Exports
In terms of exports, those towards are growing Germany, the United States and France; instead, those towards the drop Great Britaina, due to Brexit complications. Those to emerging economies are up by double digits and exposure to the markets of Russia and Ukraine remains low, which overall absorb only 1,6% of Italian agri-food exports (366 million euro).
Producer prices
The result is also influenced by an increase in producer prices (+2,6% in 2021 compared to the previous year), with an acceleration in the last quarter of the year, in particular for some sectors. The most interested is that of oil (+10,3%), followed at a distance by dairy products (+3,3%); all the other sectors recorded contained increases and below the sector average, with drinks instead recording a slight decline.
The wine chain
Almost all supply chains are positioned at export levels above the pre-pandemic level. There wine supply chain, first for values exported in 2021, exceeds the threshold of 6 billion euros for the first time, with a growth of 12,5% compared to the previous year (+10,6% compared to 2019). The greatest contribution comes from the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato wine district (+15,3% in 2021), but the wines of the Florentine and Sienese hills (+20,7%) and Prosecco di Conegliano also recorded a very positive performance -Valdobbiadene (+15,5%), the wines and spirits of Friuli (+20,5%) and the wines and liqueurs of western Sicily (+15,7%).
The supply chains of agricultural and food products
agricultural products
Also the agricultural products chain continues on the trend of 2020 and records a growth of 9,4%. All districts are well above 2019 levels; in particular, the nursery gardening of Pistoia stands out (+30,6% compared to 2020; +40,6% compared to 2019).
Pasta and sweets
In pasta and sweets supply chain (+7,4% in 2021) the Sweets district of Alba and Cuneo (+15,1% in 2021) and the Veronese Sweets and Pasta (+13,2%) stand out. The pasta sectors of the Avellino food sector (-2019% in 3,6) and the Neapolitan food sector (-2021%) were down, but largely above the export levels of 14,2.
Meats and salami
In meat and salami chain (+16,2% tendential) the Salumi del Modenanese (+22,4% in 2021) and San Daniele ham (+34,2%) stand out in particular. The only district to partially decrease in 2021 is that of South Tyrolean cured meats (-1,9% trend; but +3,2% compared to pre-pandemic).
Dairy
Also the dairy supply chain records a marked progress in 2021 (+15,5%). Only the Reggio Emilia dairy sector lagged slightly (-3% in 2021; -1,1% compared to 2019).
Coffee
The dynamics of the coffee chain (+14,1% yoy), with all three districts showing strong growth, in particular Turin's Coffee, Confectionery and Chocolate (+15,1% in 2021; +32,8% compared to 2019).
Oil
In the supply chain oil, the Tuscan oil district (which accounts for 70% of the total) is positioned at unchanged levels compared to 2020 (-0,2%), while both Umbrian oil (+8,4%) and the sector are growing oil from the oil and pasta from Bari (+5%).
Preserves
Lights and shadows instead for the canning chain (-3,7% in 2021): the progress recorded by half of the districts, Jams and fruit juices of Trentino-Alto Adige (+7,7%) and the canned sectors of Alimentare di Parma and Alimentare di Avellino ( both with +8,1%), are unable to compensate for the decline in Nocera preserves (-3,7%) and the Neapolitan food preserves segments (-0,3%) and fruit and vegetables and Foggia (-46,1%). The supply chain, which is confronted with a 2020 of strong growth on foreign markets, is overall beyond the levels of 2019.
Rice
Same dynamic for the rice supply chain (-4,2% in 2021; +9,3% compared to 2019). Finally, a positive result also for the fishing district, which with a growth of 20,3% compared to 2020 almost completely recovered the pre-crisis levels (-1,3%).
