Italian agri-food exports to China reach all-time high

Italian agri-food exports to China set another all-time record in 2018 with sales of €450 million, a 260% increase over the last 10 years.

According to data published by the Italian farmers’ association Coldiretti, wine is the most popular Italian product exported to China with total sales of €130 million (up 62.8% in the first quarter of 2018), allowing Italy to overtake Spain and reach fourth place in the rankings of the main exporter countries to China.

Fresh fruit exports performed far less well due to technical barriers which mean that Italy can only export kiwis and citrus fruit to China. This poses a severe obstacle to Italy’s goal of restoring the balance of trade, with its imports exceeding exports by 33% in 2018.