The Emilia-Romagna agri-food sector continues its record-breaking run, cementing its position as the undisputed leader in Italy. According to the latest Agro-food Report 2025, the agri-food industry closed the previous year with a total agricultural production value of 6.36 billion euros—a 4.5% increase—and exports exceeding 11.5 billion euros, marking a growth of 9.7%.
A dominant performance in 2026
This triumphant trend has been further confirmed by data updated for the first half of 2026. During this period, the region reached 5.8 billion euros in exports, capturing a 16.3% share of the national total and outperforming regional competitors like Lombardy and Piedmont. The primary engine behind these economic results has been the livestock sector, which surged by 16.8% to reach 3.5 billion euros, driven by favorable price trends and the global success of cow’s milk and PDO cheeses.
The power of quality certifications
Emilia-Romagna’s 46 regional PDO and PGI productions are a cornerstone of its success, generating nearly 4 Billion euros and representing 37% of the entire national value of protected food products. Despite challenges posed by climate change and phytosanitary issues, which impacted vegetable production, the food and beverage industry has maintained resilience, counting over 4,400 active enterprises.
Future outlook and resilience
Regional Agriculture Councilor Alessio Mammi highlights that the growth in production and exports testifies to the companies’ ability to invest, innovate, and compete. As the sector looks toward the future, the focus remains on protecting agricultural income and advocating for a strong, well-funded Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to ensure continued global competitiveness.