VIDEO | Cibus, 'made in Italy' food drives the economy:it is worth 193 billion

The research conducted by Federalimentare and Censis and presented today during the meeting

PARMA – The Italian food industry is at the center of the country's economy and crucial for the export of 'made in Italy' to the world. This is what emerges from a research conducted by Federalimentare and Censis and presented today during the meeting of Federalimentare as part of the Cibus event in Parma.

The association has called together representatives of the institutions and the Government to take stock of the trend of the sector and deal with the challenges that current events impose, between Europe, global crises, exports and development.

Present at the event also two representatives of the Meloni Government, as the Minister for Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso and the Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida, Mirco Carloni president of the Agriculture Commission in the Chamber, Paganini, professor at Temple University in Philadelphia and president of Competere and Matteo Zoppas, president of the Ice Agency.

“The food industry between the European Union and new global configurations”, this is the title of the survey, highlighted the centrality of the food industry and Made in Italy and the importance of future choices in Europe.In detail, for 93% of Italians the food industry is synonymous with social and economic development, for 94% Made in Italy is one of the main ambassadors of Italianness in the world and a driving force for the economy thanks to exports which reached 53 billion in value in 2023, while for 89% more incisive actions are needed to support the competitiveness of European companies compared to non-European ones.In short, Italians believe in the sector but a contribution from Europe is also needed.

In the meantime, however, the market is flying:the food industry is in fact today in first place among the manufacturing sectors in terms of turnover value and in second place both in terms of number of companies and employees, with a value equal to 193 billion euros, i.e. 15.6% of the total turnover of industrial sectors.

In the period 2013-2023, food and beverage turnover increased by 31.3%, with 60,400 companies employing 464 thousand people.Household spending on food and drink amounts to 195 billion euros and is equal to 15.2% of total household spending on consumption, a higher share than peer countries such as France, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.

An important piece of these data then comes from exports, which increased by 57.3% in 2013-2023 and by 148.5% in 2003-2013.

Among the geographical areas of destination, 56.2% went to EU markets and 14.9% to non-European countries.Numbers that make Made in Italy now an economic power which last year reached a value of over 380 billion euros, more than two thirds of the total value of Italian exports in the year indicated.A label that almost 91% of citizens define as "an expression of Italian pride" and 94% as "one of the main ambassadors of Italianness in the world".

For Adolfo Urso, minister of Made in Italy, this is "now in the world the product of quality and excellence at a global level, which has been able to overcome the challenge of globalization against the tide".This is echoed by Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.“Every high-level initiative, such as Cibus, which promotes Italian excellence, has an incalculable value.There are many buyers from other countries who come to the fairs because the citizens of the world are hungry for Italy."

Regarding the Agriculture Decree "there is a strategic vision that confirms Italy's desire to have the production sector at the centre, protecting it and guaranteeing our producers the right price, also guaranteeing the possibility of having agricultural land protected from possible speculation and to be able to counteract the critical issues of the sector".The provision, according to the vice president of the Senate Gian Marco Centinaio, "confirms the government's attention to the agri-food sector and promotes the alliance between agricultural producers, the food industry and distribution, with the recognition of adequate compensation for all".

In short, a strategic sector emerges for Italy, which still "grows too little and is only in recent months finding a bit of vocation for growth - underlines Giorgio De Rita, general secretary of Censis - a growth that Italy is finding again thanks to the industry and above all to the Italian food sector, conditioned by a European dimension that is becoming increasingly significant".

At the same time, however, according to the research, Italians think that Europe must also do its part to protect this heritage:84.9% are convinced that it is necessary to raise barriers to goods arriving from countries with inadequate health and safety rules compared to those imposed on EU companies, and over 89% think that the European Union should support companies from Member countries in their effort to become more competitive with those of non-EU countries.

According to Paolo Mascarino, President of Federalimentare, “the Italian food industry wants to make a great contribution to the country's development agenda.

The companies have solid fundamentals, and know how to produce unique and inimitable foods.But to continue the growth trajectory, a commitment from European and Italian institutions is also needed at a structural level.In this regard, we would like a Europe that favors the entrepreneurial talent of our sector with initiatives that promote its competitiveness at an international level", concludes Mascarino