Asparagus market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Italian asparagus market saw initial growth to 47 513 t in 2019, followed by a contraction to 41 132 t in 2020. The period began with the implementation of EU Regulation (CE) No. 1308/2013, which set quality standards and mandatory country-of-origin labeling for fresh asparagus, reinforcing market transparency.

A further legislative change arrived in 2021 with the introduction of Legislative Decree No. 231/2017, reforming national food labeling rules for pre-packaged goods. The market then expanded sharply in 2022, reaching 47 306 t, driven by significant food price inflation and high energy costs that incentivized domestic production, while the sector's noted vulnerability to import shifts coincided with a decline in foreign supplies.

The market volume eased to 45 255 t in 2023. This was influenced by Tuscany's Regional Law No. 36/2023, which limited the foraging of wild asparagus, alongside broader supply-chain pressures from geopolitical tensions, elevated energy costs, and global logistics disruptions. Concurrently, a structural shift toward organic asparagus and increased investment in cold-chain logistics began to reshape the market.

Production asparagus in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy ranked sixth globally in asparagus production.

Top producers of asparagus, 2017-2020

World map of production of asparagus, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, asparagus production in Italy declined. In 2020, Italy produced 47 040 tonnes of asparagus, a decrease of 5.8% from the previous year. Production peaked in 2019 at 49 910 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of improvement, asparagus production in Italy declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 209.1 million US dollars, down 4.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 16.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 219.1 million US dollars, with the largest increase in 2018 at 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports asparagus from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, asparagus exports from Italy increased. In 2020, exports reached 9 314 tonnes, reflecting a sharp year-on-year increase of 31.2%. Over the period 2017-2020, exports grew by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 097 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland were the leading destinations for Italy's asparagus exports in volume terms, accounting for 36.5%, 18.6%, and 12.3% of exports, respectively. Together, they represented 67.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, asparagus exports from Italy totaled 41 408 thousand US dollars, indicating a steep increase of 32.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports increased by 31.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 31 156 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland were the three principal markets for Italy's asparagus exports in value terms, together accounting for 69.9% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Italy in value, 2017-2020

Imports asparagus to Italy

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's asparagus imports registered 3 405 tonnes, down 27.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 6.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 700 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and the Netherlands were the principal suppliers of asparagus to Italy in volume terms, accounting for 42.8%, 16.0%, and 13.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 72.2% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of increase, asparagus imports to Italy declined. In 2020, Italy imported 15 188 thousand US dollars of asparagus, showing a contraction of 21.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 19 251 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase in 2018 at 14.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Peru were the largest suppliers of asparagus to Italy in value terms, accounting for 44.0%, 16.2%, and 11.3% of imports, respectively. Together, they formed 71.5% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Italy in value, 2017-2020