Prepared mushrooms and truffles market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for prepared mushrooms and truffles has been shaped by a detailed regulatory framework. In the initial years from 2018, the market operated under established rules such as the DPR 376/1995, which mandated specific preservation methods, scientific naming on labels, and authorized enterprises for handling mushrooms. This provided a stable structure for commercial activity. In 2020, the Ministry of Health issued reinforced guidelines on the quality of dried and frozen wild mushrooms, enhancing food safety monitoring and traceability requirements. This tightening of controls coincided with an 11% contraction in market volume to 26 543 tons, likely reflecting a reduction in non-compliant product availability.

Following the 2020 dip, the market's monetary value began a significant upward trajectory, increasing by 21% to 252.7 million US dollars in 2021 even as physical volume saw a minor decline. By 2022, regulatory attention shifted towards the need for updated standards for medicinal mushrooms and the updating of regional lists of commercializable species, exemplified by the Lazio region's revision. This period was marked by a recovery in market volume to 29 521 tons and a further 19.5% surge in value to 302.0 million US dollars, supported by increased scrutiny on product origin and import controls, particularly for mushrooms sourced from China.

Market volume stabilized at 28 630 tons in 2023, while the value continued its ascent to 306.9 million US dollars. Over the observed period from 2018 to 2023, the interplay of consistent regulatory foundations and evolving quality-focused measures contributed to a market where volume experienced fluctuations, but the overall monetary value demonstrated resilient growth.

Production prepared mushrooms and truffles in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Italy ranked as the 7th largest producer of prepared mushrooms and truffles from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of prepared mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

World map of production of prepared mushrooms and truffles, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 17 247 tonnes of prepared mushrooms and truffles, marking a 5.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 18 154 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of prepared mushrooms and truffles in Italy was valued at 231.1 million US dollars, representing a 4.6% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 4.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 221.0 million US dollars, which experienced the largest annual decline of 0.7%.

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

Exports prepared mushrooms and truffles from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, Italy's exports of prepared mushrooms and truffles declined in 2020. Export volume reached 3 434 tonnes, reflecting a moderate 6.2% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.4%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 662 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy exported prepared mushrooms and truffles to numerous countries, with the top three destinations—the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany—collectively accounting for just 36.9% of total export volume, indicating a broad distribution.

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

Italy's exports of prepared mushrooms and truffles increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 46 023 thousand US dollars, up 3.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 24%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States (13.1% of export value), France (12.0%), and Germany (11.3%) formed the largest group of buyers for Italy's prepared mushrooms and truffles. However, their combined share was limited to 36.5% of total export value, reflecting a diversified market structure.

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

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

Imports prepared mushrooms and truffles to Italy

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy's import volume of prepared mushrooms and truffles amounted to 12 731 tonnes, a 17.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.5%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2018 at 17.7%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 4.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (35.1% of import volume), Spain (29.3%), and the Netherlands (22.2%) remained the leading suppliers of prepared mushrooms and truffles to Italy, together accounting for 86.7% of total import volume.

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

In 2020, Italy's import value of prepared mushrooms and truffles totaled 23 848 thousand US dollars, showing a 5.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value declined by 13.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.8%. The largest annual decrease was recorded in 2018 at 13.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 4.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Poland (34.5% of import value), Spain (26.6%), and the Netherlands (19.4%) continued to be the key partners for Italy's imports of prepared mushrooms and truffles, jointly representing 80.5% 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