Smoked salmon market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian smoked salmon market volume grew from 18 888 t in 2018 to 22 279 t in 2021. This expansion was supported by regulatory and structural changes, including Norwegian aquaculture legislation in 2018 that set stricter fish welfare standards, affecting the quality of salmon imports into Italy. Further consolidation occurred in 2020 with international acquisitions like ACME's purchase of Norlax A/S, strengthening supply chains and product innovation available to the Italian market.

After a slight contraction to 21 244 t in 2022, market volume rebounded to 22 438 t in 2023. This recovery was driven by increased per-capita consumption, reaching 2.4 kg, and the active promotion of quality and transparency by the Consorzio Affumicatori Maestri Italiani, which bolstered consumer confidence in Italian smoked salmon. However, in 2024, the market volume declined to 19 661 t.

Production smoked salmon in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Italy's smoked salmon production, following a two-year decline, saw an increase. In 2020, output reached 30 916 thousand US dollars, marking a significant year-over-year rise of 13.0%. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 24%, which translates to an annualized decrease of 8.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 27 364 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 25.6% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Smoked salmon production in Italy, after a two-year decrease, experienced an uptick. In 2020, production amounted to 1 177 tonnes, reflecting a gradual increase of 9.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 16.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 076 tonnes, and the largest decline of 13.3% also took place in that year.

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

Exports smoked salmon from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's smoked salmon exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 71 tonnes, showing a year-over-year decrease of 13.2%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 25.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 104 tonnes, while the largest decline of 21.4% occurred in 2019. The highest increase of 9.5% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malta, France, and Slovenia were the core markets for Italy's smoked salmon exports in volume terms. Malta accounted for 52.9% of exports, France for 11.2%, and Slovenia for 9.0%, together representing 73.1% 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

Smoked salmon deliveries from Italy fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1.4 million US dollars, down by 16.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 25.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -9.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 2.0 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 16.7% in 2019. The largest increase of 7.1% also occurred in 2018.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Malta, France, and Slovenia remained the primary markets for Italy's smoked salmon exports in value terms. Malta held 51.6% of exports, France 12.5%, and Slovenia 7.4%, collectively accounting for 71.5% 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 smoked salmon to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's volume of smoked salmon imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 18 450 tonnes, up by 2.4% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 19.3%, with an annualized rate of 6.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Lithuania, and Denmark were the main suppliers of smoked salmon to Italy in volume terms. Poland contributed 32.8% of imports, Lithuania 22.8%, and Denmark 14.6%, together forming 70.3% 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's smoked salmon imports amounted to 305.3 million US dollars, representing a rise of 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 307.1 million US dollars, while the largest decline of 2.7% occurred in 2019. The largest increase of 14.8% was also in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland, Lithuania, and Denmark consistently led in the country structure of Italy's smoked salmon imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 34.7% of imports, Lithuania for 20.9%, and Denmark for 13.4%, jointly making up 69.1% of total import flows.

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

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