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Italy's Wine Industry Navigates Challenges

Italy's wine industry, poised for the prestigious Vinitaly trade fair from April 13 to 17 in Verona, faces both transition and resilience.

With solid foundations rooted in landscape, history, and culture, Italy's viticulture remains an economic powerhouse, driving employment and prosperity.

A comprehensive overview by Ismea in March 2024 sheds light on the sector's vitality in 2023. Despite challenges, including a 23.2% production decrease compared to 2022, Italy's wine sector stands strong. With 527 DOP and IGP recognitions, including 77 DOCG, 332 DOC, and 118 IGT, Italy boasts a rich heritage of wine quality and diversity.

While overall production saw a decline, the growth of IGP wines and whites, particularly rosés, is notable. Sparkling wines, accounting for 18% of national production, have seen remarkable performance, with 7 million hectoliters produced in 2023. Moreover, the total vineyard area expanded to 675,136 hectares, with significant support from restructuring and conversion measures.

Exports remain a key focus, with PDO wines leading in value at EUR 5.2bn, followed by PGIs at EUR 1.67bn. Despite a slight decline in volume, exports have steadily increased in value over the past decade, attributing to strategic interventions like the Wine CMO Promotion measure.

Overall consumption in 2023 hovered around 22 million hectoliters, reflecting a slight decrease. However, per capita consumption remained robust at 37 liters, showcasing enduring consumer enthusiasm for Italian wines.

As Italy's wine industry gathers at Vinitaly, it stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to quality, poised to overcome challenges and seize new opportunities in the global market.

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