Agri-food: Ambrosetti's roadmap for addressing new global challenges

The European House – Ambrosetti has published its new strategic report on the Food & Beverage sector , an updated snapshot of the Italian agri-food supply chain and the main challenges that will shape its evolution in the coming years.

The document collects analyses, data, and recommendations developed within the Food & Beverage Community and serves as a strategic roadmap for businesses and policymakers, with the aim of strengthening the sector's competitiveness, resilience, and growth capacity.

A strategic sector for the country system

The report starts from the central role of agri-food in the Italian economy , confirming it as one of the country's main industrial assets in terms of added value, employment and international projection.

The supply chain stands out for some key characteristics – quality, connection to the territory and certified production – which represent the foundation of the competitiveness of Made in Italy on global markets .

A context undergoing strong transformation

One of the central messages of the report concerns the sector's entry into a phase of structural uncertainty , driven by several factors:

• increasing energy and raw material costs
• geopolitical tensions and supply chain fragility
• increasingly significant effects of climate change
• evolution of the European regulatory framework

These elements are redefining the operating conditions of companies and require new adaptation and innovation strategies.

Consumption and behavior: new dynamics

The document also highlights a profound transformation on the demand side.
Rising inflation and declining purchasing power are leading to:

• more selective and rational consumption
• polarization between premium and low-cost products
• change in consumer habits , especially when eating out

Consumers are becoming more attentive and aware, rewriting the rules of the agri-food market.

International competitiveness and Made in Italy

A key chapter of the report is dedicated to the positioning of Made in Italy products on global markets.
While on the one hand Italy maintains a strong reputation linked to quality and territorial identity, on the other hand critical issues emerge:

• reduced average size of companies
• lower productivity than other European countries
• need to strengthen internationalization

The report then identifies a series of levers to maximize the export potential and international presence of the sector.

Sustainability and innovation as key drivers

Among the strategic pillars indicated in the document, the following stand out:

• sustainable and circular transition of the supply chain
• technological and digital innovation
• efficient management of resources (energy, water, raw materials)

The path to sustainability is no longer optional, but represents an essential condition for maintaining competitiveness in the long term.

From analysis to recommendations

In addition to a snapshot of the sector, the report proposes a series of concrete lines of action, including:

• strengthening industrial and agricultural policies
• investments in innovation and energy autonomy
• support for the dimensional growth of companies
• protection and promotion of Made in Italy

According to Ambrosetti analyses, investments in the sector could generate up to €246 billion in overall impact on the country's economy in the medium to long term.

A roadmap for the future of Italian food

The report is therefore configured as a strategic guidance tool that, starting from data and scenarios, defines a development vision for the entire supply chain.
In an increasingly complex global context, the Italian agri-food sector is called upon to evolve along three main lines:

• greater international competitiveness
• integrated sustainability
• capacity for innovation