From 28 kg in 2004, per capita consumption of pasta in Italy was down to 25.3kg in 2013. Export is the phenomenon driving growth in this business sector today. The amount of pasta being exported has now surpassed 55% of national production. This figure is up 5.4% against last year, and represents volumes of over 1.9 million tonnes (worth over 2 billion euros). Germany, France and the UK are the key importers of Italian products, followed by the Usa, Japan and Russia, along with huge increases in China (+41.7%) and Venezuela (+153.7%).
“Establishing a presence in international markets is the key to future success in the mature and ultra-competitive pasta sector”, Antonio Rummo, international sales director at Rummo Lenta Lavorazione, confirms. “We currently export to over 40 different countries and this business makes up over 30% of our overall turnover. Our principal markets are Europe-based, with France, England, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain being the most important. We are experiencing double-digit growth in these countries where we have successfully entered into some of the main retailers. Over the past year we have also established profitable commercial relationships in Russia, where, particularly in the city of Moscow, there is a huge demand for premium products like our own. Finally, we are intensifying our efforts in other important markets, like the Usa, Australia and Japan, where we have already been present for several years”.