Italy’s Foreign Trade Trends – Q1 and March 2025 Overview

According to the latest data from Istat, Italy’s foreign trade in the first quarter of 2025 showed mixed performance. Goods exports totaled €160.1 billion, reflecting a 3.2% year-on-year increase in value, despite a 1.6% drop in volume. Growth in export value was slightly stronger toward non-EU countries (+3.3%) than toward EU member states (+3%).

Imports during the same period reached €152.2 billion, marking an increase of 6.9% in value and 1.9% in volume compared to Q1 2024. The rise in import value was more substantial from non-EU markets (+11.7%) than from EU countries (+3.6%).

Italy’s trade surplus for Q1 2025 stood at €7.8 billion, down from €12.8 billion in the same period last year. When excluding the energy sector—which posted a €13.6 billion deficit—the surplus rose to €21.4 billion.

Export Performance by Region:

Significant export increases were recorded to:

• OPEC countries (+16.8%)

• Middle East (+13.7%)

• MERCOSUR (+12.9%)

• United States (+11.8%)

• Switzerland (+11.2%)

• Czech Republic (+11.1%)

• Spain & United Kingdom (both +9.2%)

• Netherlands (+8.1%)

• India (+5.7%)

• Germany (+5.4%)

• Japan (+2%)

• Romania & France (both +1.8%)

• Austria & Poland (both +0.9%)

In contrast, exports declined to:

• Türkiye (-17.8%)

• Russia (-17.1%)

• China (-11.1%)

• Belgium (-1.8%)

• ASEAN countries (-1.6%)

Export Performance by Sector:

Top contributors to export growth included:

• Pharmaceuticals, chemical-medical and botanical products (+41.9%)

• Transport equipment (excluding motor vehicles) (+21.2%)

• Base metals and metal products (excluding machinery and equipment) (+5.8%)

• Food, beverages, and tobacco (+5.5%)

However, declines were noted in:

• Coke and refined petroleum products (-27%)

• Motor vehicles (-12.2%)

March 2025 Snapshot:

Compared to March 2024, exports rose by 5.8% in value and 1.9% in volume, while imports grew by 7.6% in value and 2.9% in volume. The monthly trade balance was €3.6 billion, down from €4.3 billion a year earlier. Excluding energy (deficit of €3.9 billion), the surplus was €7.5 billion.

Month-over-month, exports in March dipped slightly by 1%, while imports remained stable (+0.2%) compared to February 2025.

Source: esteri.it