According to data published by Istat on Italy’s foreign trade: in the first three months of 2025, Italy exported goods worth €160.1 billion, marking an increase in value (+3.2%) and a decrease in volume (-1.6%) compared to the first quarter of 2024.
The growth in export value was slightly stronger towards non-EU markets (+3.3%) than towards EU markets (+3%).
In the same period, Italy imported goods worth €152.2 billion, registering an increase both in value (+6.9%) and in volume (+1.9%) compared to the first quarter of 2024. The increase in import value was more pronounced from non-EU countries (+11.7%) than from EU countries (+3.6%).
The trade balance for the first quarter of 2025 was positive, amounting to €7.8 billion, down from €12.8 billion in the first quarter of 2024. Excluding the energy sector (which recorded a deficit of €13.6 billion), the trade surplus amounted to €21.4 billion.
At a geographical level, the countries/areas that contributed most to the increase in exports were: OPEC countries (+16.8%), the Middle East (+13.7%), MERCOSUR countries (+12.9%), the United States (+11.8%), Switzerland (+11.2%), Czech Republic (+11.1%), Spain (+9.2%), United Kingdom (+9.2%), the Netherlands (+8.1%), India (+5.7%), Germany (+5.4%), Japan (+2%), Romania (+1.8%), France (+1.8%), Austria and Poland (both +0.9%). Conversely, exports declined to the following countries/areas: Türkiye (-17.8%), Russia (-17.1%), China (-11.1%), Belgium (-1.8%), ASEAN countries (-1.6%).
At a sectoral level, the following industries contributed most to export growth: 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%), and food, beverages, and tobacco (+5.5%). On the other hand, sales declined in: coke and refined petroleum products (-27%), and motor vehicles (-12.2%).
OVERALL TREND OF ITALY’S FOREIGN TRADE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD – MARCH 2025
Compared to March 2024, in March 2025 exports increased both in value (+5.8%) and volume (+1.9%), while imports also grew in value (+7.6%) and volume (+2.9%). The trade balance in March 2025 was €3.6 billion, down from €4.3 billion in March 2024. Excluding the energy deficit (€-3.9 billion), the trade surplus stood at €7.5 billion.
Compared to February 2025, in March 2025 exports recorded a slight decline (-1%), while imports remained broadly stable (+0.2%).
