Despite adverse weather conditions tried to make it more difficult, the 2017 assessment was positive for Italian agro-food sector. This is shown by Agrosserva-ISMEA report on the last quarter of the year just ended. Last year, the driving force behind the Italian agro-food sector was above all industry. Compared to 2016, benefiting directly from good performances of domestic and foreign demand, it recorded an increase of +1.8% in added value, +3% in industrial production, and +1% in employment.

The effects of adverse weather conditions were felt, reducing production potential by 4.4% compared to 2016 (in terms of added value). Nevertheless, the number of agricultural enterprisesremained almost unchanged (-0.3% in the Business Register in December 2017 on an annual basis). The number of enterprises owned and managed by young people (under 35) is increasing: they were 55,331 (+5.6% on 2016).