Strawberries market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Italian fresh strawberry market operated under new EU regulations mandating origin labeling and quality standards, which affected market access and traceability. Concurrently, adverse climate conditions including droughts, heavy rains, and spring frosts began to challenge production volumes. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted supply chains and seasonal labor, leading to a decrease in market volume to 145.7 thousand tons.

Despite volume fluctuations, market value showed resilience, rising to $529.6 million in 2021 as consumer demand and higher prices compensated for lower physical availability. However, in 2022, both volume and value fell sharply, with market size dropping to 121.0 thousand tons and value to $418.2 million, amid persistent climatic and cost pressures.

A recovery occurred in 2023, with volume reaching 132.6 thousand tons and value $526.5 million, driven by the adoption of new production technologies such as soilless multi-row installations in Southern Italy, which improved efficiency and attracted new technological players to the market.

Production strawberries in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy was one of the world's top strawberry producers from 2017 to 2020, ranking 15th globally by production volume.

Top producers of strawberries, 2017-2020

World map of production of strawberries, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 121.8 thousand tons of strawberries, representing a 2.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 2.8%, with an average annual decrease of 1.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 119.2 thousand tons, which saw the largest decline of 4.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 5.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's strawberry production was valued at 397.3 million US dollars, marking a significant 12.3% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 13.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 12.9%.

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

Exports strawberries from Italy

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Italy exported 11 350 tons of strawberries, showing a substantial 12.3% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 26.6%, with an average annual decline of 9.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 10 736 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 30.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 20.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland were the primary destinations for Italy's strawberry exports by volume, accounting for 71.1% of total flows. Germany led with 38.8%, followed by Austria at 21.6%, and Switzerland at 10.6%.

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 strawberry export value increased for the second consecutive year, reaching 37 022 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 1.2% rise from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 13.9%, with an average annual decline of 4.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 35 460 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 17.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland together accounted for 72.2% of Italy's total strawberry export value.

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

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

Imports strawberries to Italy

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Italy's strawberry imports declined in 2020, reaching 35 269 tons, down 12.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 40 310 tons, which also saw the largest increase of 12.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain dominated Italy's strawberry imports by volume, accounting for 80.1% of total flows, while other partners held relatively minor shares.

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

Italy's strawberry import value declined for the second consecutive year, registering 77 973 thousand US dollars in 2020, a sharp 17.0% decrease from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 97 059 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 25.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain accounted for 75.3% of Italy's total strawberry import value, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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