Sparkling wine market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian sparkling wine market experienced initial stability, with its size around 752 million USD in 2018 and a slight stabilization to 738 million USD in 2019. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 altered consumption patterns, as increased home drinking drove demand for sparkling wines, pushing the market to 826 million USD.

In the post-pandemic phase, production volumes rose in 2021 due to persistent home consumption, though market size dipped to 759 million USD. By 2022, the market rebounded to 916 million USD as sparkling wines resisted broader declines through aggressive pricing. The following year, despite a general drop in wine consumption across Italy, the sparkling segment remained resilient thanks to promotional efforts and holiday demand, while regulatory developments such as the decree on dealcoholized wines and temporary labeling exemptions set the stage for new market segments.

2024 marked a strong expansion to 1 069 million USD, supported by recovering demand and retail promotions. Key regulatory measures took effect, including the EU labeling regulation requiring QR codes for ingredients and the full implementation of rules for dealcoholized sparkling wines, which opened a niche for new entrants. Concurrently, economic pressures from inflation shifted consumer preference toward affordable options, boosting interest in cost-effective packaging, and digitization initiatives like blockchain traceability enhanced product differentiation.

Production sparkling wine in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's sparkling wine output was valued at 2 335 million US dollars, representing a 2.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 1.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, reaching 9.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

Sparkling wine production in Italy increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy produced 577.5 million liters of sparkling wine, marking a moderate rise of 5.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 9.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018, at 496.6 million liters, which also saw the largest decline of 5.9%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 10.6% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports sparkling wine from Italy

Exports in kind, M l

After a two-year rise, Italy's sparkling wine exports declined. In 2020, exports totaled 408.1 million liters, reflecting a 2.3% decrease from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 11.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2019, at 417.9 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 8.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Italy in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany were the main destinations for Italy's sparkling wine exports in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 28.2% of exports, the United States for 20.7%, and Germany for 8.0%. Together, these three countries absorbed 56.9% of total exports.

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

Italy's sparkling wine exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy exported 1 683 million US dollars worth of sparkling wine, marking a 4.8% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018, at 1 789 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Germany remained the key destinations for Italy's sparkling wine exports in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 25.7% of exports, the United States for 22.8%, and Germany for 7.2%. Collectively, these three countries represented 55.7% 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 sparkling wine to Italy

Imports in kind, M l

Sparkling wine imports to Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 6.9 million liters, reflecting a 21.7% year-over-year decrease. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 19.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.1%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018, at 9.7 million liters, which also saw the largest increase of 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Italy in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, imports of sparkling wine to Italy in volume terms were heavily concentrated on France, which accounted for 81.1% of total flows. Other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

After a two-year uptick, sparkling wine imports to Italy declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 174 million US dollars, which is 20.3% less compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.7%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019, at 219 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 16.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France remained the dominant and nearly sole destination for imports of sparkling wine to Italy in value terms, with a share of 91.1%.

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

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