Exports from Piedmont's industrial districts suffered in the second quarter, according to data from the Piedmont District Monitor, edited by the Intesa Sanpaolo Study Centre. The trend of the goldsmith's of Valenza in the summer period above all affects the negative data, even if the half-year result is more than flattering for the production chains of Turin and the surrounding area: exports grow by 3,1%, a higher trend compared both to the average of the Italian districts in the same period (+2,8%) and to the Piedmontese manufacturing (+0,6%). And it is precisely food that holds the flag of local specialties very high: in fact, it is the best growth between the first and second quarters the wines of the Langhe, Roero and Monferrato, which achieved an increase of 20,2%, equal to +67 million euros for an absolute value close to 400 million, leaping to second place in the ranking of the most profitable districts, right behind the goldsmith sector in crisis.
Exports of Piedmontese wines have grown towards all major commercial outlets: United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain and France. Two further important markets marked by stability: Switzerland and Russia. The province of Asti (the most important in the district) recorded a very significant increase in exports (30%); strong increases also in the province of Cuneo (+21,9%), more contained in the province of Alessandria (+4,6%). According to Coldiretti, forecasts are positive for the 2018 harvest and they see the production of wine in Piedmont increasing by 15%, compared to 2017. Expectations are also positive for the Asti sparkling wine sector. We also note a growth in attention towards digital: Giordano Vini has recently acquired the BtoC online platform “Svinando” to offer its wines through e-commerce in Italy and abroad.
Brilliant quarter also for the district's exports Sweets from Alba and Cuneo (+15,4%) equal to +26 million euros, for an absolute value of 195 million. Exports to Germany, Canada, Australia, Poland, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and Belgium grew sharply. A slight decrease was recorded towards France, which represents the largest outlet market (capable of attracting around 25% of the district's exports in 2017) and towards the Netherlands. Both bakery and flour products (+19,7%) and other food products (+14,4%) performed well. To report some important news regarding the district.
In the summer of 2018, the transfer of ownership of Nutkao took place (one of the largest companies in the district specialized in the production of spreadable cream for private labels based in Canove di Govone, a plant in North Carolina (USA) and a plant in Ghana acquired in 2018) from the Braida family to the Italian holding company White Bridge Investments Spa. The Ferrero Group, leader of the district, has announced new investments in Italy, both on human capital (the supplementary contract signed in July 2018 will lead to a 14% salary increase for the workers of the Alba multinational), and on the Italian plants for the activation of new production lines (with the aim of developing further and different business opportunities) and for updating existing plants, in order to keep technologies at the forefront.
Even the district itself has its say, albeit with much less significant growth rates Vercelli rice (+3,3%). The increase in exports to Germany and France (the main commercial outlets), as well as to Poland, managed to fully compensate for the slowdown recorded in Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Lebanon. So-so instead the performance of the other food districts: the level of exports for the category was substantially stable Coffee, confectioneries and chocolate and for that Hazelnut and Piedmontese fruit.
