Italy’s agricultural sector is enjoying a banner year, cementing its status as a European powerhouse and a global reference point for quality, innovation, and economic impact. According to a comprehensive report by the Centro di Ricerca Divulgativo of Rome Business School, Italy led Europe in agricultural added value in 2024, generating a remarkable 42.4 billion euros—an impressive 18.2% of the total EU agricultural value added. This figure places Italy ahead of both France and Spain, and its entire agri-food supply chain, which now includes agritourism and renewable energy initiatives, is valued at a staggering 75 billion euros.
What’s behind these numbers? The Italian agri-food sector isn’t just big—it’s dynamic, diverse, and increasingly green. In 2024, exports soared to a record 70 billion euros, up 7.5% from the previous year and now accounting for 11% of Italy’s total national exports. This surge owes much to the robust expansion of organic farming, which now involves more than 92,000 companies and covers 18.7% of the country’s agricultural land. Investments in AgriFoodTech have also reached new heights, surpassing 350 million euros this year. These investments have paved the way for the adoption of advanced technologies, from IoT sensors for smart irrigation to blockchain systems that ensure certified traceability and digital platforms for streamlined business management.
Italy’s agricultural sector is also characterized by its efficiency and resilience. While the country ranks third in the EU for overall agricultural production volume (at 74.6 billion euros, behind France and Germany), it stands out for its profitability. This is partly thanks to a 4.5% reduction in intermediate costs in 2024 and a notably low reliance on public subsidies—just 12.3% of added value, the lowest among major European producers. By comparison, France’s agricultural sector receives subsidies amounting to 24.5% of its added value, and Germany’s stands at 21.9%.
The sector’s growth is broad-based, with 2024 seeing a 3.5% increase in production volume. Fruit led the charge with a 5.4% jump, followed by fresh vegetables at 3.8% and wine at 3.5%. Italy’s leadership in the agro-industrial sector is further affirmed by the presence of more than 1,600 companies specializing in the processing and preservation of fruits and vegetables. The country’s agri-food ecosystem integrates large groups, SMEs, startups, production districts, and research hubs—a mix that not only generates economic value but also fosters social cohesion, ecological transition, and international competitiveness.
On the export front, 2024 has been nothing short of historic. Italian agri-food exports hit an all-time high, with sparkling wines up 10% in value, aged cheeses like Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano increasing by 10.1%, and extra virgin olive oil exports skyrocketing by 50%. Fruit and vegetable exports alone surpassed 10 billion euros. The olive oil trade balance swung back into positive territory, thanks to both higher volumes and values. Emerging markets have become increasingly important, now representing 20% of total exports. Notably, Poland, Romania, and China saw double-digit growth rates of 15.3%, 15.2%, and 9.7% respectively.
However, the external environment remains challenging. The introduction of tariffs by the U.S. administration under Donald Trump initially threatened to impose a 30% levy on a wide range of EU products, including Italian staples like olive oil, wine, dairy, and pastries. In a significant diplomatic development, an agreement was reached on July 27, 2025, between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This deal established a uniform 15% tariff on most European exports to the United States, replacing the steeper initial proposal. Despite these hurdles, Italian exports to the U.S. grew by 14.9% in 2024. Still, experts warn that the new tariff regime could slow future growth, making market diversification a strategic imperative. In fact, exports to emerging economies increased by 7.7% in 2024, underscoring the urgency of forging new commercial routes.
While Italy’s agricultural sector is making waves internationally, consumer interest at home is also evolving—especially when it comes to dairy. A recent Popularity Analysis conducted by Nomisma, as part of the "Think Milk, Taste Europe, Be Smart" campaign by Confcooperative and co-financed by the European Commission, offers a fascinating glimpse into Italian web searches from April 2024 to March 2025. Using Google Trends, the study found that in Italy, the term "milk" is most commonly associated with health. This association was strong and consistent across all regions, but especially pronounced in the South—Calabria, Sicily, Campania, Basilicata, and Puglia. Related topics such as "milk hay" and "raw milk," including questions about its consumption by children, also featured prominently in online searches.
The term "cheese" saw a lower but steadily increasing volume of searches over the past year. Italians connected cheese with issues like fat content, raw milk, hypercholesterolemia, and, again, health. Environmental concerns were also present, though to a lesser extent. Interestingly, while "milk" was most searched in southern regions, "cheese" attracted more attention from users in the North, particularly in Valle d’Aosta, Trentino-Alto Adige, Liguria, Veneto, and Tuscany.
Giovanni Guarneri, representing the dairy sector of Alleanza delle Cooperative Agroalimentari, emphasized the significance of these findings. He stated, “This analysis represents for us an additional informational asset to support the evaluation of the media impact that the ‘Think Milk, Taste Europe, Be Smart’ campaign is having today. The fact that web users associate milk and cheese with health but also with the environment reinforces the conviction that it is important to continue education together with correct, updated, and exhaustive communication about dairy products and the implications they have on society.”
All told, Italy’s agri-food sector in 2024 is a story of growth, innovation, and adaptation. From record exports and technological leaps to evolving consumer interests and the navigation of global trade headwinds, the sector is not just thriving—it’s transforming. As new challenges and opportunities arise, Italy’s agricultural and food industries appear determined to remain at the forefront of both European and global markets, setting standards in quality, sustainability, and resilience.
