Prepared pasta and couscous market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the prepared pasta and couscous market in Italy was supported by product diversification, including growth in segments such as wholemeal pasta, children's pasta, colored and gluten-free pasta, as well as ready meals like lasagna and cannelloni. This helped offset declining demand for traditional formats like spaghetti and short pasta. However, market volume then fluctuated, falling to 159.3 K t in 2021 after a period of instability.

From 2022, the market entered a growth phase, fueled by a 7.2% increase in material investments and higher advertising spending aimed at stimulating domestic demand, which raised market volume to 177.8 K t. The following year, consumer spending on cereal derivatives, including pasta, increased by 12.7%, while innovations such as pasta made from ancient grains, legumes, and gluten-free options attracted new buyers. The rise in celiac disease diagnoses also expanded the gluten-free segment, contributing to a surge in market volume to 253.6 K t in 2023.

In 2024, market volume jumped sharply to 394.9 K t as consumers increasingly opted for healthier choices like wholemeal, spelt, and legume-based pasta. The 'Re-think pasta' project helped adapt Italian pasta to new markets and consumption habits, including eating pasta for breakfast or as a snack. Simultaneously, growth in strategic partnerships and production investments supported assortment expansion and sustainability, further driving market expansion.

Production prepared pasta and couscous in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's prepared pasta and couscous production declined for the second consecutive year in terms of value. In 2020, output was valued at 1 437 million US dollars, showing a slight decline of 3.0% compared to 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 1 560 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 1.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 5.0%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 6.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After a two-year decrease, Italy's prepared pasta and couscous production volume increased in 2020. Output reached 467.5 thousand tonnes, up by 6.5% year-over-year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 439.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 19.6%. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 18.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.7%.

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

Exports prepared pasta and couscous from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Prepared pasta and couscous exports from Italy increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 314.0 thousand tonnes, marking a limited rise of 8.8% over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

The partner structure of exports in kind remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. France accounted for 19.6% of exports in kind, Germany for 15.3%, and the United Kingdom for 15.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 50.0% of total flows, with no single country achieving a dominant share.

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

Foreign prepared pasta and couscous supplies from Italy increased for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports totalled 906.5 million US dollars, which is 11.6% higher compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 37.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of prepared pasta and couscous from Italy were not concentrated on a few key markets. France accounted for 19.8% of exports in value terms, the United Kingdom for 15.6%, and Germany for 12.9%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for only 48.3% of total 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 prepared pasta and couscous to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Prepared pasta and couscous imports into Italy increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 20.1 thousand tonnes, which is 3.9% higher over the past year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 18.7 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 8.0%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in kind remained scattered. China accounted for 20.3% of imports in kind, Belgium for 12.8%, and France for 7.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 41.0% of total flows, with no partner standing out as clearly dominant.

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, the volume of prepared pasta and couscous imports into Italy reached 49.4 million US dollars, marking an advance of 4.9% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 7.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical structure of imports in value terms was highly diversified. Belgium accounted for 21.7% of imports in value terms, China for 11.8%, and Germany for 11.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 44.9% of total flows, while the remaining 55.1% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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