Frozen fruit and nuts market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian frozen fruit and nuts market showed significant volatility in its early years, with market volume surging from 150.2 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 213.2 thousand tons in 2019, before contracting sharply to 141.9 thousand tons in 2020.

A sustained recovery began in 2021, with market volume climbing to 188.8 thousand tons and continuing to grow steadily, reaching 208.1 thousand tons by 2023. This period aligned with the broader Italian frozen food market exceeding 1 million tons in consumption, where a specific surge in demand for nuts and dried fruit—notably shelled walnuts, which saw volume growth of over 24%—was supported by rising consumer awareness of nutritional benefits.

The market expanded further to 246.6 thousand tons in 2024, a year in which per capita consumption of frozen foods in Italy hit a record 17.5 kg annually. This growth was fueled by heightened consumer focus on product quality, rapid freezing techniques, sustainable packaging, and increasing demand for convenient ready-to-cook frozen fruit and vegetable options.

Production frozen fruit and nuts in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's frozen fruit and nuts production value reached 198.3 million US dollars in 2020, marking a significant year-over-year decline of 20.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 31.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 11.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 178.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 38.6%, while the largest increase was seen in 2019 with a rise of 40.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Italy produced 120.9 thousand tonnes of frozen fruit and nuts, reflecting a substantial year-over-year decrease of 35.7%. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 35.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 13.5%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 188.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 54.0%.

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

Exports frozen fruit and nuts from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's frozen fruit and nuts exports declined in 2020 after two years of growth. Exports reached 27 253 tonnes, representing a year-over-year decrease of 12.5%. The peak was in 2019 with 31 139 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 9.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands were the main destinations for Italy's frozen fruit and nuts exports in kind. France accounted for 22.9% of exports, Germany for 18.8%, and the Netherlands for 9.9%, together making up 51.6% 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

Italy's frozen fruit and nuts export value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 72.7 million US dollars, a modest reduction of 8.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 18.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 79.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 29.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Austria, and Germany were the principal destinations for Italy's frozen fruit and nuts exports in value terms. France represented 29.6% of exports, Austria 14.5%, and Germany 12.8%, jointly accounting for 56.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports frozen fruit and nuts to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's frozen fruit and nuts import volume declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 48 204 tonnes, which is 14.2% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 16.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.8%.

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

The partner structure for Italy's frozen fruit and nuts imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. The Netherlands accounted for 10.0% of imports, Poland for 9.7%, and Serbia for 9.0%, together representing only 28.7% of total import flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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 frozen fruit and nuts import value declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, amounting to 110.1 million US dollars, a decrease of 3.0% from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 117.5 million US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 8.5%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 3.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's frozen fruit and nuts import structure in value terms was diversified. The Netherlands accounted for 10.6% of imports, Bulgaria for 8.7%, and Poland for 8.2%, together making up only 27.5% of total import flows, while the remaining 72.5% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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