Uncooked pasta market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The uncooked pasta market in Western Europe expanded significantly from 2018 to 2020, with volume rising from 1 100 thousand tons to 1 553 thousand tons and value from 3 002 million US dollars to 3 670 million US dollars. This growth was driven by increasing consumer preference for fresh and filled pasta, supported by new innovative dining formats in cities like Milan that offered customizable takeaway options. Simultaneously, the demonization of carbohydrates led to a shift from dry pasta to fresh varieties and out-of-home consumption, which sustained market volume. In 2020, heightened awareness of clean labels and sustainable packaging further stimulated demand, particularly for organic and plant-based pasta, contributing to both volume and value increases.

After a contraction in 2021, when market volume dropped to 1 420 thousand tons and value to 3 463 million US dollars, the market rebounded in 2022. Sales of fresh pasta in large retail chains grew, and the gluten-free segment boomed with a 12.9% value increase, pushing volume to 1 487 thousand tons and value to 3 747 million US dollars. By 2023, despite a slight volume decline to 1 416 thousand tons, market value reached 3 977 million US dollars, driven by the launch of premium lines like Barilla's Al Bronzo and organic pasta with ancient grains. These innovations attracted consumers to higher-priced products, elevating overall market value.

Production uncooked pasta in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

World map of production of uncooked pasta, 2017-2020

Western Europe's uncooked pasta production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 650 497 tonnes of uncooked pasta, marking a significant 13.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 111.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 28.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's uncooked pasta production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 739 million US dollars, reflecting a moderate 9.4% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 100.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 26.0%.

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

Exports uncooked pasta from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe exported 134 000 tonnes of uncooked pasta, showing only a slight change from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 43.5%, which translates to an annualized decline of 17.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 134 000 tonnes, while the peak was in 2018 at 253 000 tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 47.1% decrease, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 6.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Czechia played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of uncooked pasta from Western Europe. The United Kingdom accounted for 7.6% of exports in kind, Switzerland for 3.4%, and Czechia for 3.1%. Together, their combined share reached only 14.1% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Western Europe's uncooked pasta export value increased in 2020. Exports stood at 432 million US dollars, which is 13.3% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 381 million US dollars, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 2.5% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of uncooked pasta from Western Europe in value terms were distributed across many countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 7.4% of exports in value terms, Switzerland for 4.7%, and Czechia for 2.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 14.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports uncooked pasta to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Uncooked pasta imports into Western Europe have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 036 000 tonnes, corresponding to an 8.0% rise year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 9.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 824 000 tonnes. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 with a 13.2% decrease, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 16.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy dominated Western Europe's uncooked pasta imports in kind, accounting for 71.4% of the total. The remaining volume was distributed among many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe imported 1 363 million US dollars worth of uncooked pasta, representing a robust 16.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 27.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%. The largest decline was in 2019 with a 0.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and China were the main markets for uncooked pasta imports into Western Europe in value terms. Italy accounted for 68.5% of imports in value terms, Spain for 5.4%, and China for 0.7%. Together, these three countries represented 74.6% of total import flows.

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

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