Unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unfit-for-human-consumption meat and fish flours in Italy contracted significantly in physical terms from 805 thousand tons in 2018 to 404.5 thousand tons in 2024. This decline was primarily driven by the longstanding EU-wide ban on the use of meat-and-bone meal in feed for ruminant animals, aimed at preventing the risk of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE). This regulation, consistently in force throughout the period, directly reduced a major source of demand for these products within the animal feed sector.

Market value showed more resilience, peaking at $334.9 million in 2023 despite lower physical volumes, suggesting a shift towards higher-value segments or increased costs. The regulatory environment evolved with the 2018 Novel Food Regulation, which later facilitated the authorization of insect-based proteins for human consumption by 2023. This growing focus on alternative proteins may have indirectly influenced the competitive landscape for traditional animal-derived flours. A temporary recovery in both volume and value occurred in 2021, though no specific market drivers were identified for that year.

Recent developments include the final authorization of cricket powder as a novel food in 2023, reflecting a broader trend of protein diversification. In 2024, Italian authorities confirmed and updated the Value-Added Tax (VAT) rates applicable to flours and powders of meat and fish unfit for human consumption, providing clearer fiscal guidelines for the industry. Concurrently, food safety campaigns like EFSA's 'Safe2Eat 2024' maintained a focus on safe handling and labeling of animal-based and alternative protein products.

Production unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Italy's production of unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 167.9 million US dollars, marking a significant 23.6% drop compared to 2019. Over the three-year period from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 28.8%, with an average annual decline of 10.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy's production of unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 403.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp 24.8% year-over-year decline. From 2018 to 2020, production dropped by 39%, with an average annual decrease of 15.2%.

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

Exports unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves from Italy

Exports in kind, K t

Italy's exports of unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves have fallen for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 151.3 thousand tonnes, showing a solid 18.1% contraction compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased slightly by 2.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 199.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 34.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves were distributed across a wide range of markets. Vietnam accounted for 20.1% of exports in volume, Thailand for 15.1%, and France for 9.8%. Together, these three countries made up 45.0% of total exports, while the remaining 55.0% was spread among numerous smaller destinations.

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 exports of unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 90.6 million US dollars, indicating a modest 8.5% decrease year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 4.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 106.2 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 12.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's exports of unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves in value terms were widely dispersed across markets. France held a 15.3% share, the Netherlands 13.2%, and Vietnam 11.7%. Combined, these three countries represented 40.2% of total export value, with the rest 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 unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves to Italy

Imports in kind, K t

Italy's imports of unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 239.1 thousand tonnes, reflecting a significant 16.4% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 27.8%, with an average annual decline of 10.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 342.4 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 3.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 16.5% decrease.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany, Spain, and France were key suppliers of unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves to Italy. Germany accounted for 19.6% of imports in volume, Spain for 14.2%, and France for 14.0%. Together, they made up 47.8% of total imports, while the remaining 52.2% came from a variety of other sources.

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 imports of unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value stood at 152.8 million US dollars, showing a slight contraction of 2.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 169.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 7.7% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's imports of unfit-for-human-consumption meat or fish flours and greaves in value terms were characterized by a broad distribution across markets. Germany held a 16.8% share, Spain 16.0%, and Denmark 12.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 45.6% of total import value, with the remainder spread across many other partners.

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

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