The Italian cuisine is becoming ever more popular. 2013 saw the setting of an historic record for the export of food products from Italy. No less than 33 billion euros – exports of unseen heights! The lion share of this turnover numbers stems from European countries with 22.5 billion euros in sales (a 5% increase compared to last year), but the United States have also climbed to 2.9 billion euros (+6%). In the wake of the US follow the Asian countries with 2.8 billion (+8%) and the African countries with 1.1 billion (+12%). The largest increase compared to last year comes from the other side of the world, however: from Oceania with no less than 13% in increased turnover.
The unchallenged number one in “Made in Italy” export is the wine sector and its 5.1 billion euros, which entails an 8% increase, and the vegetable and fruit growing sector with 4.5 billion euros, an increase of 6%, followed by the olive oil industry with its 1.3 billion euros and an increase of 10%. Pasta sales are also up by 4% compared to 2012, landing on 2.2 billion euros.
Taking a closer look at the numbers per country we come to surprising results. Products with the Italian three-coloured label saw an additional turnover of 11% in France, US 8% in the US, 21% in Australia and Chile made a jump ahead with 66% increased sales compared to 2013. Spumante producers are gaining greatly in importance in faraway China, where no less than a 101% increase was put on the books. Italian food exports also did well in Great Britain with 50% additional sales, followed by Russia with 31%. The beer enthusiasts are also discovering Italian wine culture to an increasing extent. This can be concluded from an increased turnover of 66%, followed by the Swiss with an additional 19% and the Dutch with an additional turnover of 9%.
Italian cheeses are also winning ground in France with a sales increase of 2%. China increased their Italian cheese imports, yet another piece of evidence that this market is booming considerably and that there are new possibilities ahead for tourism.
Two very notable facts: the Land of the Würstel does not pass up on the wide range of Italian salame and increases its imports by 9%, while the Fatherland of the Whisky saw an 8% decrease compared to 2012.
The label of “Made in Italy” is in other words showing an upward trend and this will definitely be another reason for enthusiasts to discover all the marvellous en honest Italian products in 2014. Make a sensory journey of discovery through the (mostly) small, artisanal production ateliers of Italy's numerous Slow Food products, where they will show you with much pride and expertise the results of their traditional and love for their trade. Enjoy artisanal wines that are as full of elegance as they are of character, the Poesia della Terra, make a visit to the wine cellars of those that took Italy to a higher level and taste the end result of the winegrower's months long toil. Look around on www.madeinitalytravel.com and let yourself get carried away in the story of Made in Italy!
