(Finance) – “2024 begins with caution on the part of international markets. Italian exports held steady in the month of January 2024 with a value of 47.5 billion euros, changed by -0.2% compared to the same month of 2023, when growth of 15.5% was recorded compared to January 2022. This is an encouraging sign especially when compared with the sharp slowdown recorded in December (-7.8% compared to the previous year) due to a general slowdown in demand, the economic situation and, among other things, also the logistical difficulties caused by the movement limitations in the Suez Canal”. This is what the president of ICE, Matteo Zoppas, commenting on the data released by ISTAT regarding exports for January 2024.
“Uncertain – he continues Zoppas – L’trend in European markets where the declines recorded in January compared to the same month of the previous year in sales in Germany (-2.9%) and France (-3.5%) were offset by growth in Spain (+9.2%), Poland (+14%) and the Netherlands (+6.4%); while in non-EU markets good signals come from ASEAN and OPEC countries, both at +26%, from Japan (+19.9%) and from the United States (+14.4%). China is an exception with a reduction in purchases from Italy of 46.1% compared to January 2023, the month in which an exceptional increase in exports of pharmaceutical products was recorded”.
“TO drive exports – explains the president of ICE – it was above all clothing and agri-food products that grew by 17% and 14% respectively, with particularly good performances for the latter in the USA and China. In Japan, sales of Italian food products more than doubled (+117%) demonstrating the success and appreciation for Italian food in Asian markets.
The same day as Control room of the Mattei Plan, positive signs are coming from the African continent where Italian exports in January grew compared to the same period in 2023 by 5.5% in North Africa and by 16.3% in the Sub-Saharan Africa area. Africa It is therefore confirmed as a growing continent with good prospects for Italian companies, especially in sectors linked to health, environment and water treatment services, agriculture, energy and infrastructure, as highlighted today on the occasion of the meeting of the Mattei Plan Control Room, which took place under the leadership of Premier Meloni. In a context still characterized by the persistence of geopolitical tensions, Africa represents an unmissable opportunity for Italian companies to expand towards new potential markets, beyond the traditional marketing areas associated with the Made in Italy brand”.