Overview

Italy is one of Europe’s largest agricultural producers and food processors, with the agricultural sector accounting for approximately 2 percent of the country’s annual GDP. Northern areas of Italy produce various grains, soybeans, meat, and dairy products, while the south specializes in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, wine, and durum wheat. On top of its domestic food production, Italy depends on agricultural imports to satisfy the demand of its robust food manufacturing industry, local animal production, and hotel/restaurant/institutional sectors. In 2024, Italy’s agricultural imports were a record $82 billion with further increases expected for 2025. Major products include coffee, olive oil, live cattle, corn, cheese, pork and beef products, wheat, and soybeans. Much of Italy’s agricultural imports are sourced from neighboring EU countries as well as Brazil, the United States, Ukraine, and Turkey. Among EU-27 member states, Italy is the fourth largest export destination for U.S. agricultural products after the Netherlands, Germany, and Spain. In 2024, U.S. agricultural sales to Italy were $1.7 billion. 
 

Table: U.S. - Italy Agricultural Trade 2024

Source: BICO
*Highest export/import levels since 1970
 

Food and Agriculture Import Requirements 

To the extent that EU food laws have been harmonized among member countries, Italy’s food laws and regulations follow EU rules. Similarly, Italy employs the same tariffs and border measures as other EU member states. Products imported into Italy must meet all Italian and EU food safety and quality standards, as well as adhere to labeling and packaging regulations. Italy’s Ministry of Health is responsible for food safety while food production is covered by the Ministry of Agriculture. Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy oversees standards, labeling, and trade promotion, and the Ministry of Economy and Finance is responsible for customs and duties.

For more information, see the latest Italy Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS) and Italy FAIRS Certificate reports at: https://gain.fas.usda.gov/#/ and the FAIRS reports produced by the U.S. Mission to the EU in Brussels, Belgium that are available at: https://usda-eu.org/reports/fairs-report/.

Leading Sub-sectors

Food Processing Ingredients Sector

Italy relies on imports of raw agricultural products for its food processing sector, most of which are sourced from other EU countries. Some principal ingredient imports include dairy, meat products, and wheat for pasta. While there is some consolidation of smaller food processing companies by larger players, the Italian food processing industry continues to be fragmented. Last year, Italy’s food processing industry was comprised of more than 55,000 enterprises and contributed $156.5 billion to the country’s gross domestic product.

Annually, approximately 47 percent of Italy’s agricultural product imports are destined for food processing. In 2024, the United States ranked 11th largest supplier to Italy in food processing ingredients which were worth $1.1 billion. For additional information, see Italy Food Processing Ingredients 2025 report at: https://gain.fas.usda.gov/#/

Retail Food Sector

The Italian retail food market is highly diversified. Hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience, discount, and specialized stores co-exist alongside traditional corner shops and open-air markets. Convenience stores and small supermarkets are commonly located in central areas of towns and cities. Hypermarkets and supermarkets tend to be positioned within large shopping malls in suburban areas and on the outskirts of cities.

Italy’s retail food sales reached $179.5 billion in 2024; a 2.6 percent increase compared to 2023. Increased sales were registered at discount stores (+5.1 percent), supermarkets (+3 percent), convenience stores (+2 percent), and hypermarkets (+0.2 percent). Only small local grocers faced decreased sales (-1.8 percent). Despite a growing e-commerce trend in Italy, physical supermarkets remain important for local consumers, for additional information, see Italy Retail Foods 2024 report at: https://gain.fas.usda.gov/#/,

Italian grocery retailers tailor product offerings to meet Italy’s evolving consumer preferences, expanding their range of locally grown, but also ethnic, vegan and vegetarian alternatives, “free from” products (e.g. gluten, lactose, or sugar free), and “super foods.”

Furthermore, health, wellbeing, fitness and self-care products continue to be a major focus for Italian consumers and a growth driver in the retail market.

Hotel and Food Service Sector

Italy’s tourism sector was at an all-time high in 2024 and contributed significantly to the country’s expanding food service industry. While inflation remained a key factor in consumer spending over the last few years, Italy’s food service industry continues to shirk price pressures by improving their menu options and dining experience while catering to consumers with specific health and dietary needs (e.g. celiac, vegan, and vegetarian). Furthermore, restaurant and hotel dining are centerpiece activities among Italian consumers and international visitors alike who utilize the experience as a form of entertainment and to socialize. 

For more information:  Italy Food Service – Hotel Restaurant Institutional 2024 report at: https://gain.fas.usda.gov/#/

Opportunities

U.S. agricultural export opportunities to Italy span a range of bulk and intermediate commodities such as soybean, wheat, pulses, and hides-skins as well as consumer-oriented goods like tree nuts, distilled spirits, processed fruit and vegetables, beef, dairy, and bakery products.\

Resources

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry
Ministry of Health

U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service Italy:
Office of Agricultural Affairs
U.S. Embassy Rome
Tel.: +39 06 4674 2396
E-mail: agrome@usda.gov