According to the latest Istat data regarding the Italian trade balance, processed and analyzed by Fruitimprese, the Italian fresh produce sector experienced a complex performance in the first half of 2026. Exports of fresh fruit and vegetables increased by 4.4% in value, while volumes saw a contraction of 3.4% compared to the same period in 2025. This divergence highlights a market landscape increasingly influenced by rising production and logistics costs.
Trade balance dynamics
Imports grew by 7.1% in value and 1.6% in volume, leading to a negative trade balance of 20.4 million euros. The ratio between imports and exports in quantity also shows a deficit, with imports exceeding exports by nearly 300,000 tons. For fresh fruit—the pillar of Italy’s export strategy—volumes dipped by 0.8%, while export value rose by 3.1%.
Sector highlights: apples, kiwifruit, and citrus
The apple market, which accounts for over half of exports, showed a slight slowdown with a 4.34% decrease in volume and a 0.79% drop in value. In contrast, the kiwifruit sector continues to thrive; the market success of new yellow and red varieties led to a 12.32% growth in quantity and a 16.93% increase in value. Strawberries also performed exceptionally well, recording a 15.76% surge in volume.
Conversely, the citrus segment faced significant hurdles. The impact of extreme weather events, such as Cyclone Harry, led to a 14.7% decline in export volumes. This decline has encouraged a reliance on imports, which surged by nearly 30% in this specific category, underscoring the ongoing difficulties for Italian producers in maintaining domestic supply levels.
Outlook for dried fruit and tropical imports
The dried fruit industry witnessed a robust recovery, with exports growing by 4.5% in volume and a striking 37.2% in value. Meanwhile, the import of tropical produce remains active, with a notable comeback for pineapples and continued growth for avocados, which saw a 19% increase in volume.