Italy is cementing its position as a major force in the global food sector, with strong growth propelling its brands up the rankings of the world’s 100 most valuable food companies. The most striking achievement is Barilla’s entry into the global Top 10 — the only Italian company to reach this milestone — according to the latest Brand Finance study.
ITALIAN BRANDS GAIN GROUND
The report highlights the international rise of Italian food brands. Almost all of the country’s leading companies posted double-digit growth in brand value, bucking the broader industry trend, which saw the top 100 global food brands collectively lose 6% of their value.
Italy now has nine brands in the Top 100, up from four in 2024, increasing its share of total brand value from 4% to 6.7%. By country, Italy ranks fourth, behind the United States (39.3%), China (14.2%), and Switzerland (11.3%), comfortably ahead of France (4.6%) and the UK (3.3%).
BARILLA: A STANDOUT PERFORMER
Barilla ranks ninth globally by brand value, estimated at €4.47 billion, up 21% from the previous year, climbing four places. It also features among the world’s “strongest” brands, taking tenth place in Brand Finance’s Strongest Food Brands ranking with a score of 85.7.
Brand Finance further upgraded Barilla’s rating from AA+ in 2024 to AAA in 2025, underscoring the company’s resilience and prestige. The only other brand to appear in both the value and strength rankings is Swiss chocolatier Lindt, which ranks tenth in value ($4.9 billion) and sixth in strength (87.7).
BEVERAGE RANKINGS
The study also reviewed non-alcoholic beverage brands. Coca-Cola retained its top position, followed by Pepsi, and China’s Nongfu Spring, with Red Bull and Monster in fourth and fifth places.
