The Food & Beverage industry continues to be a key driver of Made in Italy. Recent data from the first quarter of 2025, published by Confartigianato, confirm the vitality of the artisanal food sector and its growing contribution to economic development both domestically and internationally.
For international distributors and importers, Italian artisanal food products represent a powerful asset. Thanks to their exceptional quality, regional diversity, and deep-rooted traditions, these products allow businesses to differentiate their offering and build a distinctive market presence - both in retail and foodservice.
Artisanal specialties are particularly well suited to consumers seeking authenticity and premium value, and they respond to a growing demand for unique, story-driven experiences. Over the past few years, global appreciation for Italian food - especially craft products tied to regional culinary heritage - has continued to grow. This is confirmed not only by the consistent increase in Italy's food exports, but also by market data from various countries highlighting rising consumer interest in genuine Made in Italy goods.
Italian food production outpaces the European average
In Q1 2025, food and beverage production in Italy grew by 1.9% compared to the same period the previous year, outperforming Germany (+1.5%), Spain (+0.3%), and France (no change). This growth is especially notable when set against the overall decline of 3.1% in Italian manufacturing during the same timeframe.
Already in 2024, the sector had demonstrated resilience with a 2.1% increase in output, while overall manufacturing contracted by 4.2%. These figures highlight the agri-food sector's ability to weather economic turbulence and maintain a stable growth trajectory.
Strong and steady export performance
Exports remain a major strength of the Italian food industry. In the first quarter of 2025, exports rose by 5.5%, exceeding the national manufacturing average of +3%. This confirms the positive momentum seen in 2024, when the year closed with an 8.8% increase, bringing total exports to €58.7 billion - equal to 2.7% of national GDP.
The United States emerged as a particularly strong market: in the first three months of 2025, Italian agri-food exports to the US reached €7.7 billion, up 11% from the same period in 2024.
On a regional level, top exporting areas include Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Campania, Trentino-Alto Adige, Molise, Umbria, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia - showcasing a well-rooted and widespread production network across Italy.
Artisanal businesses: growth amid calls for reform
Italy is home to over 64,000 artisanal food businesses, making up nearly 20% (19.8%) of the total food sector. These are predominantly micro and small enterprises, collectively employing around 249,000 people - equal to 13.8% of the industry workforce.
This business ecosystem also preserves a unique cultural and productive heritage, including 328 EU-certified quality agri-food products, 529 DOC and IGT wines, and an impressive 5,717 traditional agri-food products (PAT), all reflecting time-honored knowledge and craftsmanship.
Industry demands: innovation and local development
To support and enhance the sector's growth, Confartigianato has proposed a range of initiatives focused on innovation, regulatory streamlining, and the promotion of local production:
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Promotional campaigns for Made in Italy, with a focus on strengthening local supply chains
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Creation of an innovation fund to enhance the quality and sustainability of artisanal production
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Revision of national regulations through targeted actions aimed at simplifying and promoting artisanal work
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Introduction of a framework law on on-site consumption, allowing tastings within production facilities
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Permission to sell in adjacent premises to production sites, currently limited by regulatory constraints
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Access to outdoor seating areas for artisanal businesses, to encourage local on-site consumption
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Redefining regulations on ancillary goods, to clarify the distinction between artisanal and commercial activities
As Confartigianato President Marco Granelli emphasized, the artisanal food sector is not only a reflection of tradition - it is also a force for innovation, a source of economic vitality for local communities, and a strategic asset for the national economy. For these reasons, the sector is calling for concrete tools to strengthen its competitiveness and further its presence on global markets.
