ITALY – Italian organic fresh fruits and vegetables exports to UAE reached a historic value of EUR 5.5 billion (USD 5.86 billion) in 2022, according to the Italian Trade Agency (ITA).

These food products are currently being showcased in the ongoing (November 7 to 9) Specialty Food Festival 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre alongside other 300 exhibiting companies.

According to the agency the Italian agri-food global exports to UAE reached a historic value of EUR 60 billion (USD 64.4 billion) in 2022 which is an increase of 17% YOY.

Moreover, in the first quarter of 2023, Italian agri-food global exports hit EUR 32 billion (USD 34.16 billion).

The demand for Italian agri-food products in the UAE reached a new record value of EUR 419 million (USD 447.16 million) in December 2020 representing a growth of 40% on the previous year.

Italy is a leader in promoting and exporting organic products, and this is reflected in the high share of organic exports in the agricultural food industry.

In 2023, organic food represented a substantial 5.5% of Italy’s total agricultural food exports, demonstrating the nation’s commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices.

“This upward trajectory not only reflects a strong global demand for Italian organic products but also underscores the country’s dedication to environmentally conscious farming practices,” reveals Trade Arabia.

Meanwhile, exports of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables from Italy have exceeded EUR 10 billion (USD 10.67 billion) for the first time ever thanks to a more than 8% sales growth in international markets.

This is according to an analysis by the Italian farmers’ association, Coldiretti, based on Istat data for the first ten months of 2022.

The report was released at the opening of Fruit Logistica in Berlin, the international trade show for the sector.

According to the report, Germany is the first outlet market for Italian fruit and vegetables with about a quarter of total exports, thanks also to a 7% increase in sales during the period under consideration.

The second largest market is France, where sales, however, fell by 2%, while in third place, is the UK with a 15% increase.

The fourth place is occupied by Austria, where sales grew 8%, just ahead of the United States which is the first non-EU market with a record increase of 20%.

Fresh vegetables are worth more than EUR 1.8 billion (USD 1.92 billion) of the total Italian Food and Beverage exports.

In 2022, exports of Italian canned tomatoes grew by 27%, proving the success of Mediterranean Diet products abroad. 

Fresh fruit exports, on the other hand, are worth EUR 3.8 billion (USD 4.06 billion), to which EUR 1.2 billion (USD 1.28 billion) in juices, jams, and preserves must be added.

“The fruit and vegetable sector, between fresh and processed, guarantees Italy a turnover of EUR 15 billion (USD 16 million) a year accounting for 25% of total agri-food production,” outlines the report.

With more than one million hectares under cultivation, Italy boasts as many as 119 fruit and vegetable products and excels in Europe with many important productions.

Among the region’s thriving fruits and vegetables are apples, pears, cherries, table grapes, kiwis, hazelnuts, chestnuts in addition to many vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, artichokes, fresh chicory, endives, celery, and fennel.

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