Quality and territory are the secrets to the success of the “Made in Italy” brand

Italy's agro-food sector is a source of excellence, testifying to how a focus on quality represents a key factor in being successful on foreign markets. Prestigious brands support Italian food production by embodying cultural, social and environmental values recognized all over the world. The industry's growing success on international markets has transformed the Italian agro-food trade balance from a deficit of around €7 billion in 2008 to a surplus of around €3.3 billion in 2020. With 875 certified food products and wines, our country is the first in Europe for PDO, PGI and TSG products. The pursuit of quality has also led to increasing attention to organic farming, which is not only a response to a desire for food safety among consumers, but can also contribute to defining strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change. These unique attributes will continue to support Italian agro-food products, not only on international markets but also when it comes to domestic consumption. Indeed, the national landscape is currently witnessing a phenomenon of polarization, where demand for discount foods coexists alongside interest in "premium" products.

Gregorio De Felice – Head of Research and Chief Economist - Intesa Sanpaolo