Italian food exports are growing strongly in 2021 after a negative start to the year. This could be the sign of the beginning of the post-Covid era for the Italian food industry. A note from research firm Ismea Mercati claims this, commenting on an overall growth by +10.6% obtained by the sector last March after -4.7 in January and +0.4% in February, for an overall increase of +2.2% compared to the first quarter of 2020. “The trend of exports recovery is further strengthened in April, when there was an increase by+22.3% in value on an annual basis” – says Ismea.
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Imports data are also important. After the decline in 2020 and the first two months of 2021, an increase of almost +12% on an annual basis was recorded in March. “Considering the processing vocation of the Italian agri-food industry, imports recovery is a sign of further growth of export sales in the coming months” – says Ismea.
BREXIT HINDERING EXPORTS TO THE UK
According to the Italian farmers’ association, Coldiretti, exports of Italian food products in the UK are bucking the trend, decreasing by -2% due to the limitations imposed by Brexit. “To weigh on food exports – Coldiretti stresses – are bureaucratic and administrative difficulties related to the exit of the UK from the European Union. This adds to the effects of the pandemic on the restart of the horeca sector. The most critical issues for companies exporting to the United Kingdom concern customs procedures and the increase in transport costs, due to delays and increased controls” – says Coldiretti.