Stuffed pasta market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

After starting at 135 thousand tons in 2018, the Italian stuffed pasta market volume dipped to 115 thousand tons in 2019. This decline occurred alongside a significant expansion of exports, which were boosted by the growing '100% Italian pasta' segment and new specialized fresh pasta restaurant formats in cities like Milan that captured shifting consumer habits. The market then rebounded sharply to 165 thousand tons in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased at-home consumption and sustained strong export demand for Italian fresh stuffed pasta to key European and North American markets.

Market volume adjusted to 153 thousand tons in 2021. Changes in lifestyle, including a broader trend of reduced carbohydrate consumption, tempered overall demand, although premium stuffed pasta varieties with cheese or meat fillings continued to see growth. The entry of new producers, such as Entroterra with its new fresh pasta line, expanded product offerings. In 2022, the market grew modestly to 157 thousand tons, supported by a recovery in out-of-home consumption and a boom in the gluten-free fresh pasta segment within retail, even as higher raw material costs led to notable price inflation.

A period of accelerated expansion followed, with the market reaching 195 thousand tons in 2023 and 259 thousand tons in 2024. This surge was fueled by robust export performance, with Italy solidifying its position as the world's leading exporter of stuffed pasta to countries like France, Germany, and the USA. Domestically, consumer focus on classic flavors and comfort food, coupled with continued double-digit growth in the gluten-free segment and more favorable raw material costs, supported significant production and consumption increases.

Production stuffed pasta in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's stuffed pasta production was valued at 1 192 million US dollars, representing a 9.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 10.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

After a two-year decline, Italy's stuffed pasta production volume rebounded. In 2020, Italy produced 340.7 thousand tonnes of stuffed pasta, marking a sharp year-on-year increase of 25.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 9.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 270.7 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 11.3% drop.

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

Exports stuffed pasta from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Stuffed pasta exports from Italy increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 180.5 thousand tonnes, representing an 11.7% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 33.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany were the main destinations for Italy's stuffed pasta exports in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 22.8% of exports, France for 18.7%, and Germany for 14.1%. Together, these three countries represented 55.6% of total export volumes.

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

Exports of stuffed pasta from Italy increased in value for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 665.2 million US dollars, which is 12.9% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 42.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and Germany were the leading destinations for Italy's stuffed pasta exports in value terms. France accounted for 21.6% of export value, the United Kingdom for 19.3%, and Germany for 12.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 53.0% 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 stuffed pasta to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's stuffed pasta import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 5.1 thousand tonnes, down by 3.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 5.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 6.1 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.2% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and France formed the core of Italy's stuffed pasta imports in volume terms. Belgium accounted for 41.2% of imports, Germany for 18.8%, and France for 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 69.2% 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

Italy's stuffed pasta import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value reached 19.5 million US dollars, down by 2.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 23.0 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Germany, and France played the leading roles in Italy's stuffed pasta imports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 45.2% of import value, Germany for 19.6%, and France for 7.7%. Jointly, these three countries took 72.5% 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