# Italian and EU agri-food export and import trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-agri-food-export-and-import-trends > Updated: 2026-10-02T07:46:40.000Z. Sources: 29. Developments: 5. The Italian agri-food sector has experienced significant shifts in export values and commodity trends. In 2025, agri-food exports reached a record of over 72 billion euros, a 5.6% annual increase, with ‘Made in Italy’ products accounting for 52.2 billion euros. While US tariffs impacted the sale of oils, wines, and sauces, Italian pasta maintained growth and is now present in over 200 global markets. The pasta industry remains a major economic driver, generating 24.6 billion euros in turnover and supporting 78,000 jobs, contributing 0.6% to Italy’s national GDP. Regional data highlights Emilia-Romagna as Italy’s leading region for agri-food exports. By the first half of 2026, the region’s exports remained stable at 5.8 billion euros. Commodity trends in early 2026 showed cheese exports exceeding 3 billion euros in turnover, while grain and oilseed imports saw a volume increase despite a decrease in total value. On a broader scale, the European Union’s agri-food trade surplus grew to 30.1 billion euros in the first seven months of 2026, an increase of 2.9 billion euros compared to the previous year. However, total EU agri-food exports saw a 1% year-on-year decrease to 138.7 billion euros. This was driven by a 13% drop in pigmeat exports—a EUR 930 million decline—due to lower prices and volumes in markets such as China, Japan, and the UK. Conversely, beef and veal exports rose by 16%, and poultry and egg imports increased by EUR 250 million. EU farmers face rising economic pressure; agricultural production prices fell by 5.8% in the second quarter of 2026, while production factor costs, including energy and fertilizers, rose by 4.7%. Notably, milk prices decreased by 16.6%, while energy and lubricant costs rose by 22%. ## Claims - The 2025 Agri-food Report was produced by the Emilia-Romagna Region in collaboration with Unioncamere Emilia-Romagna. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Agricultural production value in Emilia-Romagna reached 6.36 billion euros in 2025, a 4.5% increase from the previous year. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Agri-food exports from Emilia-Romagna exceeded 11.5 billion euros in 2025, growing by 9.7%. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Livestock production reached 3.6 billion euros in 2025, representing a 16.8% increase. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Emilia-Romagna holds a 16.3% share of Italy's total agri-food exports, making it the leading region in the country. (corroborated by 2 sources) - In the first half of 2026, agri-food exports in Emilia-Romagna reached 5.8 billion euros, a 0.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025. (corroborated by 2 sources) - EU agri-food exports reached EUR 138.7 billion in the first seven months of 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Pigmeat exports fell by EUR 930 million, a 13% decrease. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Beef and veal exports rose by EUR 295 million, a 16% increase. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The EU agri-food trade surplus widened to EUR 30.1 billion in the first seven months of 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Pilgrim’s Europe revenue for the year ending 2025 reached £4.12bn. (single source) - Pilgrim’s Europe operating profit increased 10.4% to £267.7m for the 2025 fiscal year. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-02: European Union agri-food sector sees shifting livestock trade and rising production costs The EU agri-food sector faces shifting trade patterns, with falling pork exports and rising beef demand, while farmers struggle against declining product prices and increasing production costs. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-agri-food-trade-shifts-as-pork-exports-fall-and-beef-climbs ### 2026-09-27: EU agri-food trade surplus reaches 30.1 billion euros The EU agri-food sector saw a trade surplus of 30.1 billion euros in early 2026, while Italy's pasta industry continues to drive record agri-food exports, reaching over 200 global markets. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-agri-food-trade-surplus-grows-as-italian-exports-hit-record ### 2026-09-24: Emilia-Romagna leads Italy in agri-food exports Emilia-Romagna has become Italy's top region for agri-food exports, with 2025 exports exceeding 11.5 billion euros and agricultural production reaching 6.36 billion euros. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/emilia-romagna-leads-italy-in-agri-food-exports ### 2026-09-19: Italian agricultural sector sees rising cheese exports and mixed cereal trends Italian cheese exports exceeded 3 billion euros in the first half of 2026, while cereal imports showed mixed results with rising wheat volumes but declining total market values. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-agricultural-sector-sees-rising-cheese-exports-and-mixed-cereal-trends ### 2026-09-09: Italian agri-food exports reach record 72 billion euros Italian agri-food exports hit a record 72 billion euros in 2025, led by coffee and cheese, while the espresso industry seeks to prioritize quality over price competition amid rising commodity costs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-agri-food-exports-reach-record-72-billion-euros --- Cite as: Italian and EU agri-food export and import trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-agri-food-export-and-import-trends