The latest ISTAT data on Italian wine exports up to May 2025 confirm the trend already observed in the first four months of the year: a slight decline in value (-0.82%) to 3.2 billion EUR and a more significant drop in volume (-3.8%) to 852.3 million liters.
While the overall picture is one of stagnation, the data reveal important insights into how international markets are reacting to economic, political, and trade dynamics.
The U.S. and Canada Drive Growth Despite Tariffs
The United States remains the leading destination for Italian wine, showing resilience despite tariffs imposed by the Trump administration (10% until early August, now at 15%). Exports to the U.S. totaled 838.7 million EUR, a 5.7% increase in value, with stable volumes at 150 million liters. Although slightly slowing compared to the +6.5% of the first four months, this growth confirms strong American demand for Italian wines.
Canada also continues its positive trajectory, partly benefiting from reduced competition from U.S. wines. Imports rose 9.8% in value (159.3 million EUR) and 3.5% in volume (28.1 million liters).
European Markets: Stability and Weakness
Within Europe, trends are uneven.
- Germany – still the largest foreign market in volume – recorded a 1.2% decline in value (478.8 million EUR) and a sharper 5.8% drop in volume (198.5 million liters).
- The UK faced stronger setbacks, with a 5.9% decline in value (298.1 million EUR) and 4.3% drop in volume (94.7 million liters).
- Switzerland remains a “safe haven” with stability at 164.7 million EUR (+0.2%).
- Positive notes include France (+2.1% to 130.9 million EUR), Netherlands (+1.8% to 104.8 million EUR), and Belgium (+2.3% to 90.6 million EUR).
- Sweden (-1.5% to 80.4 million EUR) and Austria (-2.5% to 62.7 million EUR) showed modest declines.
Asia and Russia: Strong Contractions
The most severe downturns occurred outside of Europe.
- Russia’s imports collapsed by 45.3%, halving to 61.2 million EUR, largely due to geopolitical and economic instability.
- Japan declined by 10.9% to 70.1 million EUR, while China saw an even sharper fall of 21.1% to 28.9 million EUR.
- South Korea slipped slightly (-1.8% to 22 million EUR).
- By contrast, Australia grew by 7% to 28.2 million EUR, overtaking China, while Brazil rose by 8.7% to 14.6 million EUR, reinforcing hopes for Mercosur markets.
Sparkling Wines: First Signs of Fatigue
After years of uninterrupted expansion, Italian sparkling wine exports slowed slightly. Values dipped 1% to 875.8 million EUR, and volumes fell 0.9% to 206 million liters. While modest, this marks a turning point, as bubbles have historically driven Italian export growth.
Outlook
The May 2025 ISTAT figures confirm a year of slower growth and market realignments. The U.S. and Canada remain solid growth engines, while Europe shows a mixed picture, and Asia—particularly China and Japan—poses challenges. Russia’s near-collapse significantly weighs on the overall performance.
Italian wine exports continue to hold strong global positions, but the combination of geopolitical risks, tariff policies, and changing consumer dynamics signals a need for strategic diversification, particularly towards emerging markets like Brazil and Australia, which are showing encouraging growth.
Source: WineNews