In 2024, the global wine market value reached €88,4 billion. Italy remains the world’s largest producer in terms of volume and second in value (€16 billion), behind France (€33 billion), the world’s leading producers with 16,1 million hectoliters, behind France (33,3 million hl).
In the same year, Italian wine exports reached 8,1 billion euros, with average annual growth of 4,8% between 2019 and 2024. The United States represents the main foreign market, with a 28% share of total exports.
The average price per liter of Italian wine exports remains significantly lower than that of French competitors. A balance sheet analysis of 165 Italian wineries highlights revenue growth of 2,5% in 2024, with a commercial return on investment (ROS) of 5,9% and an average return on investment (ROIC) of 5,3%. The debt ratio remains under control (1,04), indicating good financial solidity. A cluster analysis of homogeneous companies based on their business model shows that the trader cluster emerges as the most profitable, with an average ROIC of 8,96% for 2020–2024, surpassing integrated producers (wine companies) and cooperatives.
This data suggests a structural transformation of the sector, where the ability to control markets and manage distribution becomes central to the focus on agricultural production. As Carmine Garzia, Professor of Management and scientific director of the FIM, emphasized: “The Italian wine sector needs a strategic shift: it’s no longer enough to export bottles; we need to export value, culture, and production models. The challenge is to move from a volume-driven approach to a positioning-driven approach.”
A roundtable discussion moderated by Prof. Michele Fino (UNISG) included Luca Giavi, General Director, Consorzio DOC Prosecco; Fabrizio Polegato, Vice President, Unione Italiana Vini (UIV); Marzia Varvaglione, President of CEEV, President of AGIVI, UIV Council, Varvaglione 1921; Alessandro Santini, Head of Corporate Advisory & Investment Banking, Ceresio InvestorsAn open discussion on the prospects for Italian wine, including internationalization, innovation, and sustainability.
The Food Industry Monitor analyzes the performance of a sample of over 860 companies, with an aggregate turnover of approximately €87 billion, operating in 15 food sectors. The observatory analyzes the historical performance of food companies from 2009 to 2024, focusing on the following dimensions: growth, exports, profitability, productivity, and financial structure. For each sector, two-year forecasts (2025-2026) are developed regarding turnover and export growth and profitability trends.
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