A driving sector for the Italian economy , resilient to the numerous exogenous shocks that have occurred over the decade and a leading player in Europe with several records.This is the picture of the Italian agri-food sector outlined by ISMEA in its Annual Report .
The solid fundamentals of both the agricultural sector and the processing industry confirm the agri-food sector as a cornerstone of the national economic system, accounting for 15% of the national GDP if we consider the entire supply chain, from field to fork.
Italy's records in Europe
The ISMEA 2025 Report confirms Italy's leadership in the European agri-food sector , with excellent results in multiple strategic areas:- Leading European country in terms of agricultural added value (including forestry and fishing): €44.4 billion, growing rapidly in both value and volume.
- Third in Europe for added value of the food industry , behind Germany and France, with 38 billion euros (+3.5% at current prices, +3.2% at constant prices).
- Agricultural income growth among the highest in Europe : +9.2% in 2024, which adds to +11.7% in 2023, against an EU average of +0.7% in 2024 and -6.2% in 2023 respectively.
- World leadership in PDO and PGI products , with approximately 900 registrations, a symbol of Italian quality and distinctiveness.
- Agricultural employment on the rise : approximately 1 million workers in 2024, +0.7% on 2023. Over the decade, +2.9% compared to -17% in Europe.
- Private agricultural investment at its highest : €10.6 billion in investments in 2024.
- Agricultural productivity higher than the EU average , with 46,300 euros of added value per employee.
The positive trend continued in 2025, with exports increasing 5.7% in the first nine months. The trend was particularly significant in the United States, where sales of Italian products reached €7.8 billion in 2024, a 17.1% jump over 2023.
The challenges: geopolitical tensions and new tariffs
Alongside the many positive results, the report highlights elements of complexity , all exogenous to the sector, linked to a global geopolitical scenario marked by uncertainties and conflicts , in a phase of transition in international economic relations and a return to trade protectionism.The new tariffs introduced by the United States in 2025 represent a particularly sensitive issue that is explored in depth in the Report.
The assessment of their effects cannot ignore the specificity of individual sectors, the degree of substitutability of Italian products on the North American market, and the dynamics of the exchange rate, which influences trade to a similar extent to tariffs.
More generally, on the basis of the US/EU agreement of July 2025, the agri-food sector - burdened by a weighted average additional duty of 12.9% - is less affected than that of other countries , but relatively more penalized than sensitive industrial sectors, for which the EU has obtained more favorable treatment.
The situation, however, remains evolving, as it is still heavily influenced by operators' expectations. A more accurate assessment of the tariffs' impact will only be possible starting in mid-2026.
Over 15 billion euros from the Government over the last three years for supply chains, young people, and innovation.
Over the past three years, the Government has mobilized over 15 billion euros for the sector to strengthen supply chains, innovation, and youth employment in agriculture.The implementation of the agricultural PNRR has increased the resources managed by Masaf from 3.6 to 8.9 billion euros .
Among the most significant interventions is the "Supply Chain Contracts Fund (FCF)," whose funding has been increased by an additional €2 billion, bringing its total to €4 billion. (Source: https://www.ismeamercati.it/ )