Italian agricultural and commercial sector trends

The Italian agricultural sector has demonstrated strong financial performance, characterized by record harvests and high liquidations. Apofruit Italia reported a 7 percent increase in spring product liquidations, reaching 23.4 million euros, supported by high strawberry prices and a record olive harvest in Lombardy. In the Garda region, producers expect an output of 100,000 quintals, more than double the previous year.

Conserve Italia, a major cooperative group, marked its 50th anniversary with record results. The group announced 122 million euros in liquidations to its producer members, representing a 14.8 percent increase from the prior year. While processed volumes saw a modest 4.1 percent increase, the group maintained a stable turnover of 1.15 billion euros.

In contrast to agricultural growth, the Italian commercial sector is facing a significant decline. Approximately 460,000 commercial premises are currently vacant across the country. During the inCittà 2026 event in Bari, Confcommercio Secretary General Marco Barbieri warned that the disappearance of shops threatens urban livability and social cohesion.

Confcommercio has called for government intervention to address rising rents and bureaucratic hurdles, suggesting measures such as appointing a vacancy manager and providing tax relief. Data from Confesercenti Lombardia indicates a similar trend in Lombardy, where thousands of neighborhood shops have closed since 2019, even as total retail surface area expands through larger commercial structures.