Grapes market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Italian grape production began the period at 8 514 thousand tonnes in 2018, within a market described as fragmented and slow to adopt new varietal innovations. Output declined to 7 900 thousand tonnes in 2019, a drop linked to uncertainty stemming from the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy and the early impacts of climate change on yields. The market recovered to 8 222 thousand tonnes in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated shifts in wine consumption patterns, influencing underlying demand for grapes. A slight dip to 8 149 thousand tonnes occurred in 2021 amid trade adjustments, including reported reductions in imports of Spanish grapes and changing export flows to key European markets.

Production rebounded strongly to 8 438 thousand tonnes in 2022, driven by the rapid market penetration of seedless grape varieties, which by then accounted for 70% of Italian sales, and by growing exports to strategic destinations like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Poland. This expansion unfolded despite rising production costs and labor shortages across the sector. In 2023, output fell sharply by 13% to 6 669 thousand tonnes, reflecting significantly lower harvests, particularly in regions such as Abruzzo, Campania, and Marche, where volumes dropped by approximately 40%. This supply contraction led to higher average retail prices and a concurrent decline in export volumes.

Production grapes in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Top producers of grapes, 2017-2020

World map of production of grapes, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 8 222 K t of grapes, marking a 4.1% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 4.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 8 514 K t. In 2019, production saw its largest decline of 7.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 18.7% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of grape production in Italy reached 14 558 M $ US, reflecting a moderate increase of 9.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 14 640 M $ US. The largest decline was in 2019 at 8.9%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 18.5%.

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

Exports grapes from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, grape exports from Italy increased in 2020. The country exported 475.7 K t of grapes that year, representing a 10.6% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.5%, with a CAGR of 1.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 430.0 K t, which also saw the largest decline 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 consistently held the top positions in Italy's grape export structure by volume. Germany accounted for 28.1% of exports, France for 21.8%, and Poland for 10.0%, together making up 59.9% 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 decline, Italy's grape export value increased in 2020. Exports totaled 842.2 M $ US that year, up by 16.0% from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 2.9%, with a CAGR of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 726.1 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Italy's grape exports by value were Germany, France, and Poland. Germany represented 32.1% of export value, France 18.3%, and Poland 8.2%, collectively accounting for 58.6% 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 grapes to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Italy's grape imports amounted to 37.7 K t, which was 12.3% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 4.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Spain were the main sources of grape imports to Italy by volume. Turkey accounted for 42.4% of imports, the Netherlands for 12.8%, and Spain for 10.9%, together forming 66.1% 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

In 2020, Italy imported grapes worth 84.2 M $ US, showing an 11.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 8.6%, with a CAGR of 3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 95.4 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 8.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Spain were the largest suppliers of grapes to Italy by value. Turkey represented 35.8% of import value, the Netherlands 15.3%, and Spain 10.7%, collectively accounting for 61.8% 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