According to the latest ISTAT data analyzed by WineNews, updated to July 2025, Italian wine exports are showing signs of resilience despite a challenging international environment.
While July marked the strongest month of the year in terms of export value, overall figures for the first seven months of 2025 continue to show a slight decline compared to 2024 — a record year for the sector.
Between January and July 2025, Italy exported wines worth EUR 4.63 billion, down 0.9% from the same period in 2024, while export volume fell 3.4% to 1.23 billion liters. In June, the contraction had been slightly milder (–0.47% in value and –3.1% in volume), indicating that while the pace of sales accelerated in July, the gap with last year’s record remains.
July 2025: A High Point Shadowed by U.S. Decline
With EUR 726.7 million in exports, July 2025 delivered the best monthly performance of the year. However, the overall figure was weighed down by the sharp contraction in the United States, Italy’s leading export market, where shipments fell from EUR 183.8 million in July 2024 to EUR 135.4 million in July 2025 (equivalent to approximately USD 147 million).
The United States remains Italy’s top market with EUR 1.1 billion in imports over the first seven months, but this represents a marginal 0.1% decrease, marking the first negative variation in years. The decline raises concerns, especially considering the 15% tariffs on Italian wine imports, which came into effect in August 2025—a month after this reporting period. In July, tariffs were still at 10%, yet the impact on demand was already visible.
Meanwhile, Italian wine imports held steady at 208 million liters, virtually unchanged from 2024, signaling a stable domestic supply.
European Markets: Mixed Signals
Within Europe, Germany remains the largest buyer of Italian wine, with EUR 677.5 million in imports (–2.2%), corresponding to 278.5 million liters (–7.9%). The United Kingdom, ranked third, showed modest signs of recovery, with EUR 449.4 million for the first seven months (–3.1%) but improved export levels in July compared to the same month in 2024.
Switzerland, a consistent partner for Italian producers, recorded EUR 228.6 million, slightly below previous months, while France maintained positive momentum with EUR 190 million (+1.9%). Encouragingly, the Netherlands and Belgium returned to growth, with EUR 150.3 million (+2.1%) and EUR 126.8 million (+0.4%), respectively.
North America and Asia: Diverging Paths
Beyond the U.S., Canada continues to be the star performer, strengthening its position with EUR 242.9 million in imports, representing a 15.2% increase compared to 2024. This marks Canada as one of the few large markets showing consistent double-digit growth for Italian wine.
In contrast, Asia remains a source of concern. Japan declined by 7.8%, reaching EUR 107.4 million, while China plunged 24% to just EUR 38 million, continuing a long-term downward trend. South Korea, though in slight deficit (–3.2%), maintained a more stable result at EUR 30.2 million.
Among smaller markets, Australia overtook China, reaching nearly EUR 44 million and maintaining stability, while Brazil showed promising progress with EUR 23.9 million (+6.7%), reflecting its growing potential within the Mercosur area.
Eastern and Central Europe: Volatile Dynamics
Russia remains one of the weakest markets for Italian wine, with exports dropping 29.7% to EUR 97.2 million. Nevertheless, this represents a slight improvement compared to June, when exports had fallen by 37.5%. Austria, by contrast, recorded EUR 90.8 million (–4%), continuing its moderate contraction. Sweden also posted a minor decrease (–1.2%) at EUR 114.6 million, confirming a cooling of demand across Scandinavia.
Outlook: A Sector Facing Headwinds but Remaining Stable
Despite global challenges—including inflationary pressures, high inventories in Italian wineries, and rising tariffs—the overall performance remains remarkably resilient. Compared to the record 2024 levels, the decline is still contained within decimal ranges, showing that Italian wine continues to defend its global position through strong brand identity and diversified markets.
However, the U.S. market’s first downturn in years serves as a warning. With tariffs now at 15% since August 2025, analysts anticipate further strain in the coming months. The situation mirrors concerns in France, where exports to the U.S. are also expected to drop sharply.
As WineNews notes, the industry must now balance optimism with prudence: while premium Italian wines continue to enjoy robust recognition, price sensitivity and geopolitical uncertainties could define export dynamics in the latter half of 2025.
Source: WineNews