Italian wine exports to the US come to a halt. Joint appeal from wine associations to the Government

Following several requests from individual protection consortia—from Chianti DOCG to Nobile di Montepulciano, and the three Prosecco bodies—the Italian wine sector has written to the Government regarding the delicate issue of tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump.
Eight wine industry organisations are specifically calling for "a firm stance at the European level" and urging the government to "engage in a sensible negotiation to reach an agreement that prevents the imposition of tariffs."

United States - White House - photo wirestock su Freepik

A strategic market worth €2 billion

The United States is the leading export market for European wine, with Italian sales reaching around €2 billion in 2024, according to a joint statement from Uiv, Federvini, Federdoc, Assoenologi, Copagri, Alleanza Cooperative Italiane, Confagricoltura, and Cia Agricoltori Italiani.
Notably absent from the document is Coldiretti, which has taken an independent approach. In a statement on 27 March, Coldiretti highlighted that the daily cost of the wine export blockade amounts to €6 million for Italian wineries.

Currently, orders from the United States are on hold, with millions of bottles stocked in warehouses awaiting a resolution to the uncertainty—a situation that is also affecting several major Made in Italy brands in the US.

"Devastating" economic effects

"We cannot afford the risk," the eight national organisations stress in their statement, "that Trump’s threat becomes a reality, as it would have devastating economic effects on a strategic sector like ours.

The Italian wine industry generates a €17 billion turnover, accounting for around 10% of the country’s food and beverage revenue (with exports exceeding €8 billion), and serves as a crucial source of employment in our regions, providing jobs for approximately 870,000 people, both directly and indirectly.