Italy’s PDO economy continued its steady expansion in 2024, reaching €20.7 billion in production value, up 3.5% year on year and 25% above 2020 levels, according to the 23rd Ismea–Qualivita report presented in Rome today. The sector now accounts for 19% of Italy’s total agri-food turnover.
Growth was driven by a sharp rise in PDO and PGI foods, which climbed 7.7% to €9.6 billion, and by the €11 billion value of bottled PDO and PGI wines, a segment that has stabilised following last year’s slowdown.
RECORD-BREAKING EXPORT PERFORMANCE
For the first time, exports of Italian PDO and PGI products surpassed the €12 billion threshold, reaching €12.3 billion, an annual increase of 8.2%.
Export growth was broad-based, rising 5.9% within the EU and 10.4% in non-EU markets:
- €5.15 billion from the food segment (+12.7%)
- €7.19 billion from wine (+5.2%), representing 88% of Italy’s total wine exports
The United States remained the top destination, accounting for 22% of total PDO-PGI exports. Despite the persistence of tariffs—perceived as negative by 48% of supply chains surveyed in a dedicated focus with Origin Italia—61% of Consortia reported diversifying their export markets. Only one in three expects tariffs to have a significant long-term impact.
FOOD: STRONG GAINS ACROSS MOST CATEGORIES
Italy’s PDO–PGI–TSG food sector posted its fourth consecutive year of growth, generating €9.64 billion in production value (+7.7% year on year; +48% since 2014) and €18.57 billion in final consumption value.
While bakery and pastry products remained broadly stable (+0.7%), and meat-based products dipped slightly (–0.9%), most other categories recorded substantial gains:
- Cheese: +10.5%
- Fruit and vegetables: +6.0%
- Balsamic vinegar: +7.9%
- Pasta: +11%
- Olive oil: +46.9%
- Fresh meat: +4.3%
Food exports exceeded €5 billion for the first time, totalling €5.15 billion (+12.7% year on year; +91% since 2014), supported by a 9.4% rise within the EU and a 17.8% increase in markets outside the bloc.
WINE: STABILITY RETURNS AS EXPORTS ACCELERATE
Following the setback of 2023, the PDO–PGI wine sector returned to stability in 2024 in both volume and value. Bottled wine reached €11.04 billion in production value, although performance ranged widely across denominations: among the ten largest PDO and PGI labels, five posted gains and five registered declines. Regionally, nine out of twenty regions recorded positive annual variations.
Exports of geographically-indicated wine exceeded €7 billion for the first time, climbing 5.2% year on year and up 66% since 2014, consolidating their position as 88% of Italy’s total wine exports.
GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS ARE ITALY’S ROOTS AND FUTURE
Commenting on the findings, Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy’s Minister of Agriculture, said, “Geographical indications are the roots and the future of Italy. They represent a production model that guarantees income, quality and competitiveness, and we will continue to defend it vigorously in every international forum.”