Italy’s agri-food sector has long been celebrated for its excellence, heritage, and regional diversity.
In 2024, this identity-driven economic powerhouse reached a new milestone: a production value of EUR 20.7 billion, confirming the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) system as one of the cornerstones of the Italian economy.
This is the key finding of the ISMEA–QUALIVITA 2025 Report, the 23rd edition analysing Italy’s certified agri-food, wine, and—newly included—spirits sectors.
The report was presented in Rome in the presence of:
- Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture
- Cesare Mazzetti, President of the Qualivita Foundation
- Livio Proietti, President of ISMEA
Their message was clear: Italy’s PDO Economy is not only thriving but expanding its global reach, competitiveness, and cultural relevance.
A Growth Engine Worth €20.7 Billion
In 2024, Italy’s PDO and PGI supply chains generated EUR 20.7 billion, an increase of:
- +3.5% year-on-year
- +25% compared to 2020
This system now accounts for 19% of the national agri-food turnover.
Breakdown by Sector
- Food PDO/PGI: EUR 9.6 billion (+7.7%)
- Wine PDO/PGI: EUR 11 billion (stable year-on-year)
- Exports: EUR 12.3 billion (+8.2%)
For the first time, both food products and wine surpassed the symbolic EUR 5 billion and EUR 7 billion thresholds respectively.
Two iconic cheeses remain the heavyweights:
- Grana Padano PDO: EUR 2.1 billion (+23.3%)
- Parmigiano Reggiano PDO: EUR 1.7 billion (+10.1%)
Combined, they represent nearly 20% of the entire PDO Economy.
A Strong and Modern Production System
The Ministry of Agriculture has officially recognised:
- 328 protection consortia, coordinating
- 184,000 operators, including 175,358 producers and 31,724 processors
Although the number of processing companies slightly decreased, employment grew, with the sector involving 864,441 workers in 2024 (+1.6%).
A landmark ISTAT study highlighted that PDO Economy companies:
- Are led by younger and better-trained entrepreneurs
- Show a strong propensity for innovation and multifunctionality
- Achieve an average production value three times higher than the national agricultural average
This confirms the PDO system as not only traditional but also future-oriented.
Regional Performance: Northeast Still the Powerhouse
In 2024, 14 of 20 Italian regions saw growth in PDO/PGI value.
Top-performing regions
-
Northeast (EUR 11.24 billion)
- Veneto: ~EUR 5 billion
- Emilia-Romagna: ~EUR 4 billion (+3%)
- Friuli Venezia Giulia: EUR 1.3 billion (+8.1%)
The Northwest grew +7.1%, led by:
- Lombardy: EUR 2.9 billion (+13.1%)
The South and Islands grew +3.4%, especially:
- Puglia (+12.2%)
- Sicily (+4.0%)
- Campania (+3.1%)
Meanwhile, Central Italy declined slightly (-0.9%), despite growth in Tuscany and Umbria.
Top Provinces by Value
- Treviso – EUR 2.26 billion
- Parma – EUR 1.61 billion
- Verona – EUR 1.40 billion
- Brescia – EUR 1.03 billion
Among the strongest increases in 2024:
- Mantua (+EUR 121M)
- Modena (+EUR 65M)
- Treviso (+EUR 64M)
- Brescia (+EUR 63M)
Exports: A Record EUR 12.3 Billion in PDO/PGI Products
Exports rose +8.2% year-on-year, reaching EUR 12.3 billion:
- Food products: EUR 5.15 billion (+12.7%)
- Wine: EUR 7.19 billion (+5.2%)
The United States remains the single largest market, absorbing:
- 22% of all PDO/PGI exports
Despite the impact of U.S. tariffs:
- 48% of supply chains felt negative effects
- 61% of consortia opened new markets
- Only 1 in 3 expect long-term impact
This shows strong resilience and diversification.
Performance in Retail: PDO and PGI Outpace Generic Products
Italian large-scale retail showed:
- EUR 6.2 billion in PDO/PGI sales (+1.1%)
Breakdown:
- Food: EUR 4.3 billion (+1.2%)
- Wine: EUR 1.9 billion (+0.9%)
PDO/PGI outperform generic products in:
- Cheese: +1% vs. 0%
- Meat products: +1.3% vs. -0.4%
- Wine: +0.9% vs. +0.1%
Discount retailers remain the fastest-growing channel (+1.9%), while the South leads regional growth.
Focus: PDO/PGI Wine Sector
The bottled wine value reached EUR 11 billion in 2024.
Top 5 PDO/PGI Wines by Production Value
- Prosecco PDO – EUR 951M (+0.5%)
- Delle Venezie PDO – EUR 193M (+9%)
- Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco PDO – EUR 170M (-17.3%)
- Asti PDO – EUR 120M (-2.9%)
- Amarone della Valpolicella PDO – EUR 114M (-1.3%)
Best-performing regions (Wine)
- Veneto: EUR 4.3B (+1.2%)
- Piedmont: EUR 1.18B (-4.4%)
- Tuscany: EUR 1.13B (+1%)
- Friuli Venezia Giulia: EUR 862M (+8%)
PGI wine exports exceeded EUR 7 billion, representing 88% of all Italian wine exports.
Minister Lollobrigida’s Message: A System to Defend and Strengthen
Italian Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida emphasized:
- The PDO/PGI system protects “know-how”
- It guarantees authenticity, territorial identity, and economic value
- It supports rural communities and tourism
- It remains a strategic tool for Italy’s global competitiveness
He reiterated the government’s commitment to defending this system internationally.
Conclusion: A Cultural and Economic Asset Growing Stronger
The 2025 ISMEA–QUALIVITA Report confirms that Italy’s PDO Economy is:
- Growing steadily
- Exporting more than ever
- Attracting younger, innovative producers
- Strengthening regional economies
- Outperforming generic agri-food products in retail
From cheeses and meats to wines and spirits, Italy’s certified products continue to embody the values of tradition, traceability, and excellence—while delivering robust economic performance for the entire country.
Source: WineNews