Fresh grapes market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Italian fresh grapes market experienced notable shifts. In 2018, high production of over 8.5 million tons coexisted with stagnant domestic consumption and a growing share of large-scale retail, which surpassed 50% of distribution. The subsequent year saw market volume decline to 7.5 million tons. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to postponements of new environmental packaging labeling rules and altered consumption patterns, contributing to a market recovery to 7.8 million tons.

The period from 2021 to 2022 was marked by evolving competitive dynamics and internal transformation. Weaker Spanish competition in 2021, due to below-average harvests, reduced import pressure on the Italian market. By 2022, despite a general consumption crisis driven by inflation and high production costs, domestic production grew to 8.4 million tons. This growth was supported by intense varietal innovation, specifically a rapid shift towards seedless (apirene) grapes to meet consumer demand, and was shaped by stricter EU agronomic management requirements pushing for sector restructuring.

In 2023, the market contracted sharply, with production falling 27% to 6.7 million tons. This was driven by limited supply, continued increases in production costs, and the impacts of climate change, although fruit quality remained excellent. The transition to seedless varieties persisted, valued by the domestic market. The long-debated mandatory environmental labeling for packaging, initially decreed in 2020 and repeatedly postponed, finally came into force in January 2024.

Production fresh grapes in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy was the world's second-largest producer of fresh grapes from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of fresh grapes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 8 222 K t of fresh grapes, marking a gradual 4.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, production grew by 14.7%, averaging 4.7% annually. The highest output was in 2018 at 8 514 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 7.2% drop. The most significant increase was also in 2018, at 18.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of fresh grapes produced in Italy reached 14 553 M $ US, up 9.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 18%, averaging 5.7% per year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 14 626 M $ US, with the largest decline in 2019 at 8.8%. The biggest increase was also in 2018, at 18.6%.

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

Exports fresh grapes from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, fresh grape exports from Italy rebounded in 2020, totaling 474.2 K t, a 10.5% increase from 2019. However, over the 2017–2020 period, exports fell by 5.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 429.3 K t, which also saw the largest drop of 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Poland were the top destinations for Italy's fresh grape exports by volume, accounting for 28.1%, 21.9%, and 10.0% respectively. Together, they made up 60.0% 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, M $ US

Following a two-year downturn, Italy's fresh grape exports in value terms recovered in 2020, reaching 839.3 M $ US, a 15.8% rise from 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 2.8%, averaging a 0.9% annual decline. The lowest value was in 2019 at 724.6 M $ US, which experienced the largest fall of 9.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Poland were the leading markets for Italy's fresh grape exports by value, collectively representing 58.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports fresh grapes to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's fresh grape imports amounted to 18.9 K t, down 11.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports declined by 21.1%, with an average annual decrease of 7.6%. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 17.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Egypt were the primary sources of Italy's fresh grape imports by volume, contributing 24.8%, 21.7%, and 13.3% respectively. Together, they accounted for 59.8% of total import flows.

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, M $ US

Italy's fresh grape imports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, standing at 45.9 M $ US, a slight 1.5% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 15.6%, averaging a 5.5% annual decline.

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

During 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Egypt were the largest suppliers of fresh grapes to Italy by value, representing 27.2%, 19.8%, and 13.0% respectively. Combined, they formed 60.0% of total import value.

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

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