Italian cured meats exports surge amid global headwinds
Italian cured meats exports are maintaining a strong growth trajectory, underscoring the sector’s resilience despite mounting global challenges. In the first nine months of 2025, exports reached 171,898 tonnes, generating €1.842 billion in value—up 6% in volume and 6.2% in value compared to the same period in 2024. This performance outpaced both the broader food industry (+5.2%) and the national export average (+3.3%).
Growth in sales has been primarily driven by the European Union, while non-EU markets have shown more cautious momentum due to African swine fever (ASF), tariffs, political uncertainty, and currency fluctuations. Italy remains a leading global player, with companies generating up to 60–80% of their revenues abroad. Industry body Assica, representing around 180 Italian cured meats companies, supports an export sector now worth approximately €2.4 billion annually.
Core markets include France, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom, alongside non-EU destinations such as Canada and Japan—currently on hold. Emerging regions, from Asia to Mercosur countries in South America, are expected to drive the next phase of growth.
Among third-country markets, Japan remains a critical issue. Restrictions linked to ASF have effectively shut down a market previously worth €60–70 million annually.
“Japan, like other Asian countries, immediately halted imports of all Italian products following the first case of African swine fever, without recognising the principle of regionalisation, which allows trade to continue from unaffected areas,” says Davide Calderone, General Manager of Assica.
Efforts are now underway to reopen access, particularly for cured hams, leveraging guarantees provided by production processes. “Commercial diplomacy is delivering results. Inspections and audits are ongoing in companies. We hope to reach June—with the release of full-year 2026 data—with positive news on the resumption of trade flows,” Calderone adds.
The United States remains the third-largest export market and the leading one outside Europe, worth around €270 million annually. However, tariffs introduced under the Trump administration have had a tangible impact in 2025.
“Tariffs reached as high as 15% for several months and are now around 10%. The real issue, however, is uncertainty, which makes long-term investment and strategic planning difficult,” Calderone explains. Tariff costs are shared across the value chain—absorbed partly by producers, importers, and ultimately consumers—affecting margins and competitiveness.
Despite this, companies continue to invest locally, particularly in slicing facilities. “Products are made in Italy, shipped whole to the United States, and then sliced and packaged locally. This model optimises logistics, creates jobs in the US, and allows companies to operate closer to the consumer segment,” Calderone notes. This approach avoids production delocalisation while preserving the strong territorial identity of products, many of which are protected by PDO and PGI certifications.
While Europe and North America remain export pillars, attention is shifting toward new markets. “In Asia, there is still significant work to rebuild trust and reopen markets, despite structural limitations linked to different dietary habits,” Calderone says. “Among the most promising regions are Mercosur countries—Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay—which share cultural and taste affinities with Italy. Anglo-Saxon markets such as Australia are also interesting, though highly protectionist, with strict rules on both raw and processed products. Fortunately, once understood and tasted, Italian cured meats are extremely appealing and persuasive,” Calderone concludes. “When they enter a market, they usually achieve lasting success.”
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