The month of April 2025 ended with a mixed balance for theItaly's trade exchange with Non-EU countries. As reported by theIstat, there was a clear slowdown with sales, decreasing both on a monthly (-7,5%) and annual (-2,1%) basis, while the cheap imports resulted in growth (+11,4% on an annual basis), supported in particular by non-durable consumer goods (61,1%). The contraction in sales of capital goods (-17,4%), followed by non-durable consumer goods (-5,3%) and intermediate goods (-1,6%). Exports of energy (+11,3%) and consumer durables (+6,3%), the latter often linked to sectors such asfurnishings and electronics.
On the side of the cheap imports, April recorded a 1,6% increase over March, confirming a positive trend already seen in the first quarter. The increase was driven by purchases of non-durable consumer goods (+9,4%), such as food, pharmaceuticals and household products, and energy (+5,1%).
Imports on the rise, exports slow: extra-EU trade balance narrows in April
Il Italian trade balance with Non-EU countries has limited, which went from 5,036 billion euros (April 2024) to the current 2,178 billion. The energy deficit remains significant (-4,195 billion), while the surplus in non-energy products decreased from 9,317 to 6,373 billion. Istat reports that the strong negative variation in exports in April is conditioned by extraordinary operations relating to maritime navigation means, recorded in March 2025 and April 2024. Net of these exceptional sales, the cyclical decline would have been much more contained (-3,3%) and a trend growth of 0,5% would have even been observed.
Overall, in the first four months of 2025, theItalian export towards non-EU countries is in slight growth trend (+1,9%), which becomes +2,7% if the energy sector is excluded. However, the trade balance is reduced to +13,5 billion, compared to +20,7 billion in the same period in 2024.
In detail by country, in April exports decreased significantly towards UK (-20,3%), Turkey (-18,8%), China (-8,6%) And Japan (-4%). Bucking Switzerland (+ 18,8%), Villages OPEC (+ 7,9%), Mercosur (+ 5,9%) and Asean (+5,2%). On the import front, significant increases should be noted Usa (+60,8%), China (+40,1%) and Turkey (+20%), while purchases from India (-27,6%) and OPEC countries (-22,5%).
Mexico in countertrend: a strategic shore for Made in Italy
In this regard, the Mexico It turns out to be one of the most interesting destinations for Italian companies that want to grow outside Europe, not only for the size of the market, but above all for its strategic position, industrial dynamism and production affinities:
- Mexico has 14 free trade agreements, including one with the EU, which open the doors to more than 50, eliminate most customs duties and simplify the rules of origin;
- The workforce is young and specialized: over 100 engineers per year and one of the highest rates of graduates in STEM disciplines in Latin America;
- The country is logistically central: it can easily export by land to the USA and by sea to Asia and Europe, thanks to ports such as Veracruz, Manzanillo and Altamira;
- Special economic zones offer tax incentives and bureaucratic simplifications for foreign manufacturing companies.
The recent mission of the Minister Tajani (from 22 to 24 May 2025 in Mexico City) represented an important political and commercial signal, strengthening an economic bridge that can prove crucial for the companies , especially SMEs, looking for new growth strategies. With over 130 million inhabitants, Mexico is the 15th largest economy in the world and the second in Latin America, after Brazil. Mexican GDP recorded a growth of +3,2% in 2023, thanks mainly to exports and the strengthening of the manufacturing sector.
It is no coincidence that American and European multinationals are accelerating a strategy known as “nearshoring,” or the transfer of production closer to the consumer market. And Mexico, from this point of view, is the preferred viaticum for the United States, with which it shares over 3.000 km of border.
Italy-Mexico, a growing economic axis: 2.300 active companies
Il economic relationship between Italy e Mexico is already very solid: in 2024, trade exceeded 8,1 billion euros, with Italian exports amounting to 6,6 billion. It is the first market in the Latin American area for Italian companies. Around 2.300 Italian companies operate in Mexico, including many SMEs in the mechanical, agri-food and industrial components.
On the occasion of the institutional mission mentioned above, an Italy-Mexico Business Forum was held in Mexico City which saw the participation of over 80 Italian companies e Mexican. Among the strategic sectors identified:
- Automotive – Mexico is the 4th exporter and the 7th producer in the world with a rapidly expanding supply chain (components, machinery, software, testing);
- Machines industrial – Italy is already the third supplier of machinery to Mexico and our Italian companies are appreciated for quality, flexibility and innovation;
- Sustainability Environmental Sustainability – Italian solutions in the field of green economy are seen as cutting-edge;
- Infrastructure digital and physical – Italian expertise in integrated projects is able to develop modern networks, smart cities, electrified transport and inclusive digital services in the country.
