A strong start for Italian wine exports in 2025. In January, the stockpiling effect in the US ahead of tariffs proves decisive

Italian wine exports worldwide have started 2025 on a positive note. After finally hitting the eight-billion-euro record throughout 2024, January brings a reassuring result for Italian producers, though it must be viewed in light of the uncertainty caused by the 10% import tariff rise in the United States, the top destination for Italian-made products.

In the first month of the year, Italy exported 153.5 million litres of wine (+2%) for a total turnover of €578.7 million (+7.3%). The average price per litre rose to €3.77 (compared to €3.72 for the whole of 2024). The trade balance improved further, thanks to a 15% drop in imports (down to €36 million).

Prosecco outperforms the national average

A decent performance for bottled wines (under 2 litres), with values increasing by 7% to €391 million and volumes slightly down (-0.7% compared to January 2024) at 84 million litres. This points to a greater value being placed on wine products, which are commanding higher prices at the same volume. Italian sparkling wine rose from €142 million to €150 million overall, gaining over 5%, with volumes up by 6.3% compared to January 2024. Prosecco Dop, in particular, continues its trajectory and performs above the national average, with an +8.7% rise in exported volumes, reaching €116.5 million in value (+7.3%).

Stockpiling effect in the United States

In anticipation of Trump’s tariffs, the stockpiling effect among American importers played a significant role in January. According to Istat foreign trade data processed by the weekly publication Tre Bicchieri, Italian wine in the US saw a 4% increase in volume and a sharp 19.3% rise in value, reaching €162.5 million. Italian wine cost Americans more in January 2025. The average price per litre was €6, compared to €5.3 per litre for the whole of 2024 (and €5.2 in January 2024), with export price lists rising by around 15%.

Shipments to Canada also performed well: in January 2025, Canada purchased 8.6% more Italian wine, with a 23% increase in value, up to €34 million. In Europe, volumes to Germany remained stable (38 million litres), while the United Kingdom increased its purchases of Italian wine by 2.5%. In terms of value, the German market saw a 5% increase (€89 million), and the British market rose by 3.7% (€50 million).

Other European markets, Asia, and South America

Among other major European buyers of Italian wine, several countries recorded value increases: France +6% (though with a negative trade balance for Italy of €5 million, considering the €24 million in wine purchased by France in a single month), Belgium +13%, Switzerland +2.5%, Sweden +10%, Poland +17%. Meanwhile, declines were seen in the Netherlands (-1%), Austria (-0.8%), and especially Russia, which halved its value of purchases in the first month of 2025 compared to a year ago (following a 2024 of strong buying from Italy), with a -53% drop.

In the Asian market, results were mixed: Thailand +130% in volume and +102% in value (€2.45 million), China -6% and -16% respectively (€5 million), South Korea +40% and +5%, Japan +8.5% and +11% (€11.7 million in a month), Hong Kong saw declines of -28% and -34% (€1 million). In South America, Mexico recorded -42% in volume and -19.5% in value (€3.3 million); Brazil saw a +14% rise in both volume and value (from €1.75 million to €2 million).