Whether the reaction will be one of "retaliation" or a preference for dialogue with the US administration, as hoped by Giorgia Meloni, remains to be seen. However, a response is certainly expected. The table presented by Donald Trump incorrectly highlighted the tariff rates applied to exported US products and the reciprocal tariffs that have just been introduced. In a context of negotiations and the protection of Italian and European gastronomic specialities, the application of additional tariffs on US foods could be a response that strengthens Italy’s position at the negotiating table. And if this means paying a higher price for certain products, we might say it will have been worth it. But let’s see which US foods make their way to Italy.
What American products are in our dishes?
According to the Italian office of the USDA’s Office of Agricultural Affairs, the US products with the highest sales potential in Italy include nuts, food preparations and ingredients, snacks, condiments and sauces, spirits, and beer. Products not yet present in significant quantities but with good sales potential include functional and health foods, free-from products (lactose-free, gluten-free), speciality foods, and organic products.
According to 2023 data, the main processed foods exported to Italy last year were: seafood, alcoholic beverages, food preparations, processed vegetables and legumes, canned or frozen fruit, dried fruit, condiments and sauces, jams, jellies, soft drinks, and various types of fats.
The numbers behind Italian imports from the US
While Italy primarily exports consumer goods to the US, the US mainly exports bulk goods to Italy. In 2023, US agricultural exports to Italy totalled nearly $18 billion, while US imports from Italy amounted to $7.4 billion. US exports include soybeans, maize, nuts, wheat, beef, vegetable oils, and cereals. That same year, Italy was the world's leading exporter of agricultural products to the United States.
As for processed foods, Italy ranks as the seventh-largest European market for US consumer food products. US exports of these products to Italy grew by 5% in 2023, reaching a total of $186.5 million.
The Italian retail food market
According to Euromonitor, retail sales in Italy’s packaged food market nearly reached $100 billion in 2023. This makes Italy the tenth-largest packaged food market in the world, with a 25.7% increase compared to 2019. Projections made in 2022 estimate that by 2028, retail sales in Italy’s packaged food market will reach $117 billion, marking a further 12.8% growth.
Italy’s main trading partner is the EU, which supplies about 70% of the country's total agricultural products and 83% of consumer-oriented products. Proximity and price make the EU a more attractive and competitive supplier.
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