Italian pasta remains one of the most representative categories of Made in Italy food on international markets. According to Unione Italiana Food analysis based on Istat data, exports reached 2,456,940 tonnes in 2025, up +2.1% compared with 2024, for a total value of EUR 3.969 billion.
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A visual summary of the main figures for Italian pasta exports in 2025: volumes, value, destination markets and growth areas.
Download the infographicThe figures confirm the strength of a highly export-oriented sector, even in an international environment marked by geopolitical tensions, complex trade dynamics and uneven performance across different geographical areas. For distributors, importers, retailers and food service operators, Italian pasta remains a strategic category, combining strong recognisability, consistent demand and broad positioning opportunities across different sales channels.
Exports 2025: over 2.45 million tonnes
In 2025, Italian pasta exports exceeded 2.45 million tonnes, reaching almost EUR 4 billion in value. Based on the relationship between total value and exported volumes, the average export value was around EUR 1.62 per kg, an indicative figure that helps frame the category's economic position on international markets.
Global pasta production stands at around 17 million tonnes, of which 4.2 million are produced in Italy. The country therefore continues to play a central role from both a production perspective and a cultural and commercial one. Annual per capita consumption in Italy is 23.3 kg, but the strength of the sector emerges above all from its ability to reach foreign markets: in 2025, more than 60% of national production was shipped outside Italy, reaching more than 200 countries.
For international operators, this highlights an important point: pasta is rooted in traditional Italian cuisine, but it is now firmly established in global assortments, with a significant role in both retail and food service.
Europe remains the leading destination, while America and Oceania also grow
Europe remains central to Italian pasta exports. Of the pasta exported in 2025, around 1.3 million tonnes were shipped to European Union countries. Data indicate that Europe accounted for 51.9% of the total, up +4% compared with 2024.
The extra-EU share is indicated at 48.1%, with America accounting for 17.6%, Asia for 10.6%, Oceania for 2.0% and Africa for 1.1%. The overall picture shows a very broad international presence, but also significant differences between geographical areas. At global level, Oceania recorded an overall increase of +12.9% and America grew by +4.5%, while Asia and Africa saw volume declines of -6.7% and -7.6% respectively.
These figures are particularly useful for producers and distributors because they show where demand is accelerating and where commercial coverage requires closer attention. In growing markets, such as Oceania and North America, Italian products can benefit from their reputation and premium positioning. In markets under pressure, however, factors such as price, logistics, adaptation of the offer and the ability to build stable relationships with importers and local operators become increasingly important.
Germany, the United States, France and the United Kingdom remain key markets
Germany remains one of the main destination markets for Italian pasta, with 466,422 tonnes imported in 2025 and growth of +3.7% compared with the previous year. It is followed by the United States, with 315,018 tonnes and an increase of +4.3%, France with 292,341 tonnes and growth of +4.7%, and the United Kingdom with 279,342 tonnes, slightly down by -1.4%.
Alongside these established markets, particularly interesting dynamics are emerging in Australia, which recorded growth of +17.4%, in Canada, with +9.9%, and in Poland, with +5.2%. Within the European Union, Spain (+4%) and the Netherlands (+6.4%) are also growing.
For suppliers and importers, these figures confirm the importance of covering both mature markets and those with faster growth potential. In countries where Italian pasta is already an established category, competition increasingly depends on assortment, formats, price segmentation, premium products, organic, wholegrain and protein-based references.
In expanding markets, however, consumer education, the recognisability of Made in Italy and the ability to offer lines suited to different distribution channels remain central.
United States: positive demand amid evolving trade conditions
The United States remains one of the most important markets for Italian pasta, as confirmed by the growth in exported volumes in 2025. At the same time, the market requires close monitoring, as trade conditions, customs procedures and tariff-related risks continue to affect planning for exporters, importers and buyers.
In March 2026, the United States Department of Commerce announced its final decision in the antidumping proceeding involving 13 Italian pasta producers. The antidumping rates were sharply reduced compared with the preliminary decision of September 2025: 7% for Garofalo, 2.65% for La Molisana and 5.21% for the other 11 companies involved in the investigation.
For industry operators, this update reduces uncertainty compared with the initial scenario, but it confirms the importance of closely monitoring tariffs, customs procedures, logistics costs and contractual conditions. For US importers and buyers, Italian pasta remains a high-demand category, while commercial risk management is becoming an increasingly important element in purchasing planning.
Pasta within Italian agri-food exports
Pasta's performance is part of a broader context of growth for Italian agri-food exports. In 2025, national agri-food exports are estimated at around EUR 73 billion, a new all-time high. In the first eleven months of the year, agri-food exports had already approached EUR 67 billion, with growth of +5% compared with the same period of the previous year.
Pasta contributes to this positioning because it combines three elements that are particularly valued by international markets: strong Italian identity, widespread use in everyday consumption and the ability to adapt to different channels. It is a category that can be sold through traditional retail, large-scale distribution, cash & carry, specialist stores, food e-commerce and professional food service.
Italian food continues to be associated with quality, traceability, production tradition and regional variety, and pasta remains one of its leading products. For many international buyers, it represents a core reference for building or strengthening a Made in Italy assortment, often in combination with sauces, tomato preserves, extra virgin olive oil, cheeses and other complementary categories.
Retail and food service: global pasta trends
The international market outlook confirms the potential of the category. According to estimates by Fortune Business Insights, the global pasta market was worth USD 75.50 billion in 2025 and is expected to rise from USD 79.81 billion in 2026 to USD 120.13 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.24%.
Dried pasta maintains a dominant position, with an estimated share of 83.12% in 2026, while wheat-based pasta represents 91.58% of the market by raw material. The role of modern distribution also remains central: according to the same source, supermarkets are indicated as the main distribution channel, with a share of 58.74% in 2026.
The food service channel also shows positive prospects. According to IMARC Group, the global food service pasta market was estimated at USD 5,355.2 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 6,724.8 million by 2034, with average annual growth of 2.60%. This trend is supported by the spread of takeaway and delivery, demand for products that are easy to manage in professional kitchens and the versatility of pasta on the menus of restaurants, hotels, catering operators, cafes and quick-service venues.
For professional channel buyers, characteristics such as cooking performance, texture retention, consistent results, availability of large formats, packaging suited to professional kitchens and breadth of assortment therefore become important. For retail, instead, opportunities are growing in more specific segments: premium, wholegrain, organic, gluten-free, protein, regional and artisanal pasta, as well as products made with selected grains.
Innovation, positioning and added value
Export growth does not depend on volumes alone. Producers and distributors have the opportunity to strengthen the value of the category and differentiate their offer according to the characteristics of each market. In many countries, Italian products already enjoy a strong reputation, but this recognisability must be supported by clear information on origin, quality of raw materials, production processes, available formats and usage suggestions.
Companies can work on several levers: developing lines for the professional channel, creating references for premium retail, improving packaging information and providing useful materials to support sales across retail, distribution and e-commerce.
This scenario also includes the role of technological innovation in the agri-food supply chain. The 2026 Report promoted by Federalimentare reports investments in AgriFoodTech startups of EUR 122 million in 2025, up +18% compared with the previous year, and a growing role for artificial intelligence in improving the efficiency, performance and competitiveness of food companies. For the pasta sector too, digital tools, data analysis, traceability and automation can help make production, quality control, logistics and international commercial relationships more effective.
Opportunities for producers, distributors and international buyers
The 2025 data confirm that Italian pasta has a solid base in mature markets and continues to find growth opportunities in high-potential areas. For producers, this means working on a more structured international presence and strengthening dialogue with importers, distributors and retail operators. For buyers, the category offers the opportunity to build differentiated assortments capable of responding both to everyday demand and to interest in higher added-value products.
The most interesting opportunities concern in particular:
- more segmented retail assortments, with premium, regional, organic, wholegrain references or products suited to specific nutritional needs;
- lines for food service, designed for professional kitchens, organised food service, hotels, catering and delivery;
- pairing strategies with sauces, preserves, oil, cheeses and other complementary Italian products, and related cross-selling opportunities in both B2B and B2C;
Italian pasta therefore remains a key category for agri-food exports and for the promotion of Made in Italy worldwide. The 2025 results show a competitive, recognisable sector capable of adapting to different channels. To turn this strength into further growth, it will be increasingly important to combine product quality, active promotion in different markets, innovation and the ability to offer channel-specific solutions.
