Italy's 2026 wheat output rises but remains far below domestic demand

The Italian wheat millers’ association Italmopa projects that the 2026 soft wheat harvest will increase by about 10%, reaching roughly 3 million tonnes. Quality indicators are described as satisfactory, especially grain specific weight, while protein content is slightly lower than expected. Despite the boost, the total domestic cereal demand—estimated at 8 million tonnes, including 6.5 million tonnes for the milling industry—still far exceeds national production, requiring continued imports.

Trade data for the first four months of 2026 show a modest 0.8 % decline in cereal import volumes and an 8.4 % fall in import value, amounting to €260.4 million. Imports of corn and durum wheat fell sharply, while barley (+48 k t) and rice (+20 k t) rose. Export volumes also declined, though shipments of soft wheat flour, pasta and cereal‑based feed saw modest increases. The sector’s net foreign‑exchange balance was a deficit of €877 million, narrower than the €1.1 billion deficit recorded in the same period of 2025.