Kiwifruit market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian kiwifruit market volume fluctuated significantly between 2018 and 2023. A major rebound in 2022 was supported by the post-pandemic resumption of the Actinidia Working Group's activities, which focused on supply chain innovations and commercial strategies. Improved disease management, particularly against bacterial canker, also aided production recovery that year. However, adverse climatic conditions in 2023, affecting both Italy and other leading producers like New Zealand and Chile, led to an estimated 7% drop in national output, sharply reducing domestic market volume.

Structural evolution within the sector included a marked increase in yellow-fleshed kiwifruit production, managed through club varieties to ensure quality and adequate returns, with volumes potentially exceeding 103 000 tonnes in 2023. The growing influence of multinational companies such as Zespri, through their supply chain and communication strategies, reshaped market dynamics. Regional production shifts were also notable, with Lazio increasing its output by 14% in 2022 and accounting for over a third of national production.

Italy maintained its role as a top global exporter, with annual shipments often surpassing 300 000 tonnes. The market's structure was influenced by import dependence for certain varieties like yellow kiwifruit during the off-season, primarily sourced from New Zealand and Chile, and by competitive pressure from other Mediterranean producers such as Greece.

Production kiwifruit in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy ranked as the world's third-largest producer of kiwifruit.

Top producers of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of kiwifruit, 2017-2020

Italy's kiwifruit production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 521.5 thousand tonnes, down 0.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 3.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 562.2 thousand tonnes, which saw a 3.9% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 6.7% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's kiwifruit output was valued at 1 001 million US dollars, marking a significant 18.3% rise compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 12.5%, averaging 4.0% per year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 846 million US dollars, which represented a 15.9% decline. The peak was in 2018 at 1 005 million US dollars.

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

Exports kiwifruit from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy exported 276.0 thousand tonnes of kiwifruit in 2020, an 11.7% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 14.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 6.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's kiwifruit exports in volume were spread across many partner countries. Germany accounted for 16.5% of exports, Spain for 10.8%, and France for 9.1%, together making up just 36.4% of total 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

After two years of decline, Italy's kiwifruit exports in value rebounded. In 2020, exports reached 529.5 million US dollars, up 5.1% year-over-year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 503.8 million US dollars, which saw a 3.9% drop.

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

The value structure of Italy's kiwifruit exports from 2017 to 2020 shows a diverse set of partners. Germany represented 19.7% of export value, Spain 10.6%, and France 8.5%, together accounting for only 38.9% of total flows. The remaining 61.1% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports kiwifruit to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's kiwifruit imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 74.2 thousand tonnes, up 11.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 8.4%, averaging 2.7% annually. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 51.0 thousand tonnes, which saw a 25.4% decline. The largest increase was in 2019, with a 30.1% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece was the top source for Italy's kiwifruit imports by volume, accounting for 31.1%. New Zealand followed with 22.1%, and Chile with 19.9%. Together, these three countries made up 73.1% 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

Italy's kiwifruit imports in value rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 93.3 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 40.2% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 34.7%, with an average annual rate of 10.4%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 93.3 million US dollars, which saw a 13.2% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand was the leading source for Italy's kiwifruit imports by value, accounting for 23.3%. Belgium contributed 21.8%, and Chile 21.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 66.0% of total import value, remaining the main destinations for kiwifruit to Italy.

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

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