In 2024, Italian agri-food exports reached a new all-time high, amounting to €69.1 billion, marking an 8% increase compared to the previous year.
An extraordinary result that confirms the strong appeal of Made in Italy in international markets, even in a global economic context marked by geopolitical uncertainties and inflation.
This boom was driven by some iconic products of our tradition: extra virgin olive oil recorded an impressive +45%, also thanks to the growing global focus on healthy diets; followed by cured meats (+10%) and cheeses and dairy products (+9%), which are particularly appreciated in North America and Asia for their artisanal quality.
Italian wine continues to reign supreme in exports, reaching a value of €8.1 billion, despite an increasingly competitive market with a strong focus on sustainability.
As for destination markets, Germany remains the top trade partner, with €10.6 billion (+6%), while the United States consolidates its position as the leading non-EU market, reaching €7.8 billion (+17%). Countries such as Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada also showed strong growth, where consumers are showing increasing interest in certified and sustainable Italian products.
Overall, EU agri-food exports also reached record levels in 2024, totaling €235.4 billion, a 3% year-on-year increase. However, Italy continues to stand out for the high added value of its products, linked not only to their intrinsic quality but also to their ability to tell a story—of a territory, a culture, a way of life.
The ITA0039 Certification: A Guarantee of Authenticity for Italian Cuisine Worldwide
In a global context where demand for authentic Italian agri-food products is on the rise, the ITA0039 | 100% Italian Taste Certification by Asacert stands out as a strategic tool to enhance and protect the identity of Italian cuisine across the world. More and more Italian restaurants abroad are choosing to certify themselves in order to meet international consumers’ growing demand for transparency, quality, and respect for tradition.
ITA0039 is the only certification that, through rigorous inspections and audits, verifies the actual use of certified Italian ingredients, the presence of staff trained in Italian gastronomic culture, and compliance with criteria that define the authenticity of Made in Italy at the table.
For an Italian restaurant abroad, obtaining the certification means standing out in a global market crowded with imitations and Italian Sounding products, offering a dining experience that is truly faithful to Italian roots. But it also means actively supporting the entire national production chain, promoting those products that contribute to the success of agri-food exports.
In a year when Italy recorded historic numbers in food exports, ITA0039 represents a concrete lever to strengthen the reputation of Italian cuisine, while protecting both consumers and producers, in the name of quality, sustainability, and true Italian identity.
