Pasta is a symbol of Italian identity; it is part of our cultural heritage which, over the years, has increasingly proved itself capable of generating economic value and exporting it in ever-greater quantities abroad. Regardless of the controversy surrounding the promotion of Italian durum wheat and the fact that we still face a shortfall of over 40 per cent in raw materials, the supply chain in the strict sense – from the cultivation of domestic durum wheat through the milling industry to the processing and production of pasta – has achieved a turnover of 13.5 billion euros, generating 3 billion euros in added value, with domestic production of 4.2 million tonnes, of which approximately 60 per cent is destined for international markets. The sector involves 128,000 businesses and supports 32,000 jobs, confirming its status as one of the pillars of the Italian food industry. However, if we broaden the picture to include the so-called ‘extended supply chain’ – which encompasses, for example, the supply of packaging and logistics right through to the catering sector – the value generated rises to 24.6 billion.
These are the figures highlighted in the report “Valore Pasta – The contribution of the pasta industry supply chain to ‘Made in Italy’”, produced by The European House Ambrosetti (Teha Group) on behalf of the pasta manufacturers of Unione Italiana Food, and presented in Milan.
To understand the significance of these figures beyond their absolute value, the report highlights how over the last ten years the pasta sector has recorded growth exceeding that of the Italian economy. Between 2015 and 2025, turnover increased by 5.7 billion euros, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%, exceeding both that of national GDP (+3.2 per cent) and that of the wider agri-food sector (+3.9 per cent). Over the same period, value added rose from 1.7 to 3 billion euros. And it could, of course, rise significantly if the value added generated abroad were also taken into account, primarily from durum wheat imports.
“Within this supply chain, the pasta processing industry alone – as the report states – has significantly increased its share of the market, now accounting for €8.9 billion in turnover and €2 billion in added value.”
However, the extended supply chain of the pasta industry – which takes into account not only direct production activities but also induced activities, namely sectors linked to distribution, logistics, catering, packaging and machinery manufacturing – is projected to generate €5.2 billion in direct added value by 2024; when indirect and induced effects on the economy are taken into account, this figure rises to €14.3 billion, equivalent to 0.6 per cent of national GDP.
Overall, the extended supply chain involves 143,000 businesses, supports 78,000 employees and generates €1.6 billion in investment, confirming pasta’s role as a driver of growth for the Italian economy.
Dining and Cooking