Despite international geopolitical tensions and challenging tariff environments, the Italian dairy sector has achieved a significant milestone. In 2025, Italian cheese recorded a record-breaking €6.7 billion in exports, a 4.6% increase, with momentum continuing into the first quarter of 2026. This resilience was a central theme at the recent assembly of the Italian cheese industry association Assolatte.
Global market dynamics and resilience
Addressing the assembly, Assolatte’s President Paolo Zanetti (pictured) highlighted the competitive strength of Italian manufacturers. With over €2B in extra-EU exports, Italy has officially surpassed New Zealand to become the world’s second-largest cheese exporter by value, trailing only the United States. While US market demand dipped by 11.4% due to trade barriers, this shortfall was effectively offset by robust gains in Germany (+7.8%), Spain (+5.2%), the UK (+4.5%), France (+3.3%), Canada (+22.2%), and Japan (+13.6%).
Innovation and quality as pillars of success
The total turnover for the sector now stands at €28.5B, representing 11% of Italy’s entire food industry production. A key factor behind this success is the industry’s commitment to the national supply chain. In 2025, the sector processed 13.5 million tons of cow’s milk, with the reliance on foreign milk continuing to decline—a testament to the strategy of prioritizing and adding value to PDO and PGI national products.
Collaborative growth
Matteo Zoppas, President of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE-ITA), praised the resilience of the dairy industry. He confirmed that the government and ITA are doubling down on support for internationalization. For 2026, 21 specific initiatives are planned to facilitate business matching, promotion, and communication campaigns aimed at further consolidating the presence of authentic Made in Italy products on the global stage.