In 2020 exports of Italy’s food and beverage products increased – in contrast to the trend of all other economic sectors (general decline of -10.8%) – growing by +1.4%. According to an analysis by Italian farmers association Coldiretti – based on Istat data on the first eleven months of 2020 – despite the Covid-19 pandemic the year just ended was a record year for Italian food exports.
The growth in demand for Italian food and beverages abroad was driven once again by Germany (+5.5%), Italy’s leading partner, followed by the USA (+5.2%) despite the additional duties that have affected some of Italy’s best-known products.