Italy has become the world’s leading exporter of apples, overtaking the United States and China. According to Ismea research institute, “the 2025/26 campaign has started under the best possible conditions, and the reopening—albeit still partial—of the Suez Canal is an encouraging signal for the continuation of the commercial season of Italian apples.”
TRADE BALANCE AND GLOBAL RANKINGS
Apples confirm their position as the fruit and vegetable product with the strongest trade surplus in Italy’s agri-food sector, even as the overall trade balance remains negative. Exports reached almost €1.2 billion, up 19% compared with the previous campaign, accounting for 16% of total global apple exports.
Italy is followed by the United States with a 14% share and China with 13%, ahead of New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, Poland, France, the Netherlands, and Turkey. Globally, international apple trade involves around 7 million tonnes, with a total value exceeding €7 billion.
“This extraordinary result,” Ismea underlines, “was achieved thanks to the export of more than one million tonnes of apples, with shipment volumes from Italy increasing by 24%.”
Among destination markets, Germany remains in first place, accounting for 30% of total export value, with growth of 26% in volumes and 23% in revenues compared with the previous campaign. Spain ranks second, while Saudi Arabia is the third-largest outlet.
According to the latest estimates from WAPA (World Apple and Pear Association), European apple production for the 2025/26 campaign is expected to reach just under 11 million tonnes, marking a 5% increase compared with the forecasts released in August.
APPLES IMPORTS AND PRICES
On the import side, Italy purchased 28.4 million kg of apples during the 2024/25 campaign, a figure in line with the past three years and up 9% year on year. Average prices reflected global market dynamics, rising by about €0.03 per kg to reach €0.96/kg.
STABLE AND HEALTHY PRODUCTION
Istat data show that in recent years Italy’s apple-growing area has stabilised at around 54,000 hectares, with a strong concentration in the autonomous provinces of Bolzano and Trento, which together account for 49% of national production. Piedmont, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna follow, representing around 30% of production potential, while Campania maintains a distinctive role thanks to the Annurca variety. Overall, there are no significant changes in production potential compared with 2024 or with the average of the past three years.
For 2025, Assomela estimates national apple production at 2,317,545 tonnes, in line with the previous year and around 5% above the 2022–2024 average. From a varietal perspective, Golden Delicious remains the most widely grown cultivar, followed by the Gala group, and the trio of Granny Smith, Fuji, and Red Delicious. Output of new varieties has exceeded 300,000 tonnes. Estimates remain partial and will be updated as data from late-harvest areas and varieties become available.
CONSUMPTION SLIGHTLY DOWN
Ismea–Niq data on apple purchases—both loose and packaged—for domestic consumption during the 2024/25 commercial year (August to July) show a slight decline of 3% compared with the previous campaign. By contrast, average retail prices increased by 2%, while household spending fell by 1.3%.
“The 2025/26 commercial campaign for Italian apples,” Ismea writes, “has started with a positive outlook, confirming many of the favourable dynamics observed in the previous season.” On the varietal front, “the availability of club apples (protected by varietal patents) continues to grow, enabling greater segmentation of supply and the adoption of more targeted marketing strategies.” In addition, “sales within the organised apple sector show, from the very beginning of the season, a positive trend, particularly on the Italian market, with a pace of stock reduction broadly in line with that of the previous year.”