Tallow market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian tallow market volume contracted dramatically from 33 352 t in 2018 to 1 688 t in 2023, a reduction of over 90%. The decline accelerated after 2020, with the market halving in size in both 2021 and 2023.

This collapse in domestic consumption coincided with a surge in exports, which more than doubled from 8 348 t in 2018 to 20 553 t in 2023. At the same time, imports fell from 25 989 t to 8 391 t over the period. Domestic production remained relatively stable around 15 000 t until 2021, then dropped to 13 850 t by 2023. In 2022, state-owned enterprises in Italy reported a 73.7% revenue growth in the first nine months, which indirectly influenced various industrial sectors including raw materials like tallow.

Production tallow in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy held the 28th position globally in tallow production.

Top producers of tallow, 2017-2020

World map of production of tallow, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 14 896 tonnes of tallow, a decrease of 5.2% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 5.5%, while 2019 saw no change in production levels.

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

Exports tallow from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's tallow exports rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. Exports reached 10 741 tonnes, marking a sharp increase of 30.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 23.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 206 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain and Turkey together accounted for 85.3% of Italy's total tallow exports by volume, with other countries forming a diverse but less significant portion of the export market.

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

The market exhibited volatility during these years. The lowest export value was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.8 times. In 2020, Italy's tallow export value amounted to 8 718 thousand US dollars, up by 79.3% compared to 2019. The minimum value was 4 863 thousand US dollars in 2019, which also saw the largest decline of 24.0%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Spain and Turkey remained the core markets for Italy's tallow exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.1% of total export flows, while other destinations had relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports tallow to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's tallow imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports stood at 13 911 tonnes, representing a significant decrease of 20.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 42.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 16.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 25 989 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 32.3%, while 2018 saw the largest increase at 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (35.0% of imports by volume), France (21.6%), and Austria (14.4%) continued to lead as Italy's main tallow suppliers, jointly accounting for 71.0% of total import volume.

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 imported tallow volumes increased in 2020 after a two-year decline. The import value totaled 11 256 thousand US dollars, up by 3.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 40.3%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 15.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 925 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 38.8%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany (35.6% of imports by value), France (22.1%), and Austria (14.3%) consistently held leading positions in Italy's import structure by value, jointly accounting for 72.0% 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