Uncooked pasta market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian uncooked pasta market entered the period with a mature domestic landscape dominated by Barilla and over a hundred operators, where dry pasta accounted for 85% of production value. This saturation in home demand meant that market growth was heavily reliant on export performance, which kept the internal market size relatively modest at $1 423 million in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted foodservice channels, leading to a decline in filled dry pasta consumption and a shift toward frozen pasta, contributing to a market contraction to $1 566 million.

Post-pandemic recovery saw the market surge to $2 509 million in 2021. By 2022, the fresh pasta segment within retail gained momentum, with gluten-free products soaring by 19.7% in volume and filled fresh pasta growing 4.4% in value, though the overall market value dipped to $2 203 million, possibly reflecting mixed dynamics across pasta categories or price adjustments.

A significant expansion occurred in 2023, with the market reaching $3 361 million, driven by robust export growth in non-egg and non-filled pasta segments, coupled with strong volume sales increases from major brands like La Molisana and De Cecco in the dry pasta aisle. Average prices for dry pasta rose by 8.7%, lifting value figures. In 2024, the market advanced further to $3 414 million, supported by sustained exports—60% of production now goes abroad—and innovation in fresh pasta, including vegan and gluten-free lines, alongside evolving consumer preferences for whole grain and alternative cereal options, even as potential U.S. tariffs loom.

Production uncooked pasta in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's uncooked pasta production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4 189 million US dollars, up 7.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 504 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 11.1% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy maintained its position as the world's leading producer of uncooked pasta by volume.

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

Italy's uncooked pasta production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Italy produced 3 321 thousand tonnes, a 7.5% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 856 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 14.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with an 8.1% rise.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's uncooked pasta exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2 277 thousand tonnes, up 14.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 24.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Italy's uncooked pasta exports by volume. Germany accounted for 17.9% of exports, the United Kingdom for 13.2%, and France for 11.7%. Together, these three markets represented 42.8% of total exports, with the remaining 57.2% distributed among numerous smaller partners, each holding modest individual shares.

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 uncooked pasta exports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 681 million US dollars, marking a 21.3% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 34.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom were key buyers of Italian uncooked pasta in value terms. Germany accounted for 16.2% of exports, the United States for 13.5%, and the United Kingdom for 12.1%. Their combined share reached 41.9% of total exports, while the remaining 58.1% was distributed among many other partners.

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

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

Imports uncooked pasta to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's uncooked pasta imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 39 thousand tonnes, up 18.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 88.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 23.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece and France were the leading sources of Italy's uncooked pasta imports by volume, together accounting for 83.7% of total imports. Other partners played a supplementary role in the import structure.

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 uncooked pasta imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value amounted to 59 million US dollars, a 14.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 165.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 38.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's uncooked pasta imports in value terms were largely oriented towards France and Greece. Their combined share reached 82.0% of total imports, with other destinations playing a secondary role.

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

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