(Finance) – A Cibusat Fiere di Parma, the Public Assembly of Federalimentare took place “The Italian food industry: opportunities and challenges in the Europe of the future“, during which the Federalimentare-Censis Research “The food industry between the European Union and new global configurations” was presented, which highlighted the centrality of the food industry and Made in Italy and the importance of future choices in Europe .
For 93% of Italians thefood industry is synonymous with social and economic development, for 94% the Made in Italy it is one of the main ambassadors of Italianness in the world and a driving force for the economy thanks to exports (53 billion in value in 2023), while 89% believe that help for the sector may come from future choices that will be taken in the EU if there will be more incisive actions to support the competitiveness of European companies compared to non-European ones.
The food industry is today at the forefront of sectors manufacturing in terms of turnover value and in second place both in terms of number of companies and employees, with a value of 193 billion euros, i.e. 15.6% of the total turnover of the industrial sectors. In the period 2013-2023, food and beverage turnover increased by 31.3%. The sector it is made up of 60.4 thousand companies which increased by 1.5% in 2013-2023; of a total of almost 464 thousand employees, +12% in the same period. In Italy, family spending on food and drink is worth 195 billion euros and is equal to 15.2% of total family spending on consumption, a higher share than similar countries such as France, Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.
In 2023 the value of exports from the food and beverage industry drinks it amounted to 53.4 billion euros with an increase of 57.3% in 2013-2023 and 148.5% in 2003-2013. An impetuous growth, which characterizes the food industry as one of the best performers in our economy. The 2023 data relating to the distribution of the total value of exports of food and drink products among the geographical areas of destination report that 56.2% went to the markets of the 27 EU countries and 14.9% to those of non-EU European countries.
Even in theexport the power of Made in Italy materializes: in 2023 its value amounted to over 380 billion euros, more than two thirds of the total value of Italian exports in the year indicated.
Almost 91% of citizens define Made in Italy products as an expression of Italian pride and, with reference to ours food94% of Italians are convinced he is one of the main ambassadors of‘Italianness in the world. Furthermore, almost 93% of Italians believe it is important to protect and strengthen Italian industries, such as the food industry. Furthermore, 87% express appreciation for the initiatives to protect brands and companies to prevent them from ending up under foreign control.
84.9% of Italians are convinced that it is necessary to raise barriers to goods who arrive from countries with health, social and safety rules that are inadequate compared to those imposed on businesses EU. Over 89% of Italians believe that the European Union should support companies from member countries in their effort to become more competitive compared to those from non-EU countries. For a substantial majority of Italians, Europe is a value, even if a lot must change starting from its action in the economic sphere, in its relationship with industries, such as the food industry, which generate so much value and which too often are forced to follow paths bumpy due to European choices and regulations.