Investments in the Italian agri-food sector have seen a significant increase in recent years, reaching €16,8 billion in the three-year period 2023-2025, a 46% increase compared to the previous three years. This is according to the first TEHA Observatory on Agri-food Policies, presented in Bormio at the tenth edition of the Food & Beverage Forum.
According to the analysis, the new investments are in addition to €38,5 billion in structural resources already allocated to the sector. The overall economic impact is significant: the measures adopted have generated a direct impact on the sector amounting to approximately €87 billion in added value and could generate overall benefits for the national economy estimated at €246 billion in the medium to long term.
Of this, €67,8 billion could already be observed within the next three years, while an additional €178 billion would result from increased competitiveness, skilled employment, and the ability to operate in international markets. The Observatory also highlights a shift from the 2010-2022 period, when public support for agriculture remained essentially stable, averaging €12,4 billion annually.
In international comparison, TEHA highlights how the United States allocates significantly more resources to the agricultural sector than Europe. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's budget represents 40,1% of national agricultural revenue, compared to the 10,4% guaranteed by the European Common Agricultural Policy.
"Strengthening national policies, interpreted through consistent and measurable data, is a crucial lever for supporting the competitiveness, resilience, and strategic autonomy of the Italian agri-food sector," said Valerio De Molli, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of TEHA Group.
The policies adopted between 2023 and 2025 were classified into seven main areas of intervention. The largest share, amounting to €6,1 billion, was allocated to strengthening the production capacity of strategic supply chains, while €5,6 billion supported technological innovation and energy independence. Other funds were directed towards youth entrepreneurship, consumer support, food security, the promotion of Made in Italy products, and the protection of national interests at European level.
The analysis confirms the growing importance of the agri-food sector in the Italian economy. In 2024, the sector generated a total turnover of €269,9 billion, of which €193 billion was attributed to the food and beverage industry and €76 billion to agriculture. Compared to 2015, growth was 42%.
The added value generated by the sector reached €81,6 billion, confirming agri-food as the country's leading manufacturing sector. This result is 50% higher than that of metallurgy and almost three times higher than Made in Italy fashion.
On the international front, 2025 closed with a new record for agri-food exports, which rose to 72,5 billion euros, up 5% from 2024 and 96,4% from 2015. Italy also confirmed its position as the European Union's leading country in agricultural added value, with 44,2 billion euros, while the agri-food sector's share of national GDP reached its highest level in the last twenty years, standing at 4,2%.
Quality certifications also contribute to strengthening the sector's competitiveness. With 897 PDO and PGI products and a turnover of €20,7 billion linked to geographical indications, Italy maintains its European lead and consolidates its global leadership in the export of pasta, tomato puree, and wine, symbols of Made in Italy on international markets.
