Italian wine exports slowed in the first four months of 2025, marking a decline of 0.86% in value compared to the same period in 2024 — a break from the sector’s long stretch of uninterrupted growth. However, Prosecco PDO emerged as a resilient force, continuing to drive demand for Italian sparkling wines abroad.
SPARKLING WINES SLOW DOWN, BUT PROSECCO HOLDS FIRM
According to Istat data, overall exports of Italian sparkling wines fell by 1.1% year-on-year in the January–April period, totaling €676.2 million. Export volumes also declined by 1.5%, totaling 158.2 million litres. Despite the broader downturn, sparkling wines still account for more than a quarter of total Italian wine exports.
Prosecco PDO stood out as a positive exception. Exports reached €527 million in the first four months of 2025 — a 1.5% increase compared to the previous year, with volumes up 3.4% to 121.6 million litres. This means Prosecco represents roughly 76% of all Italian sparkling wine exports, underscoring its strategic weight in the trade balance. Still, growth has slowed somewhat: in Q1 2025, Prosecco exports had been up 4.9% year-on-year, suggesting a modest deceleration by April.
US REMAINS KEY MARKET AMID TARIFF UNCERTAINTY
The United States reaffirmed its position as the top destination for Italian sparkling wines, with exports climbing 12.5% to €191.6 million — nearly double the growth rate of overall Italian wine exports to the US (+6.59%). Consumer trends continue to favour sparkling wines, particularly Prosecco, which makes up 91.2% of the Italian sparkling wine shipped to the US — a testament to its strategic dominance.
The UK remains the second-largest market, with exports valued at €102.5 million, though with a 6.2% year-on-year decrease. France posted a strong 15.6% increase to €43.7 million, while Belgium and Switzerland also showed positive momentum. Germany recorded a decline, and exports to Russia plummeted 47% to €25.7 million. China, though still a marginal importer with just €1.9 million in imports, saw a 7.4% increase.
The US market’s strong performance highlights shifting global preferences toward sparkling wines. Yet, the outlook remains clouded by the threat of steep US tariffs. A proposed 30% duty, set to take effect from August 1st, could reshape the trajectory of Italian sparkling wine exports. While Prosecco’s resilience remains a reassuring indicator, its future — along with that of the broader Italian wine industry — hinges on the outcome of ongoing trade negotiations between the U.S. administration and the EU Commission.
