Food remains a pillar of the economy

The agri-food sector remains a battleship of the Italian economy and continues to withstand the impact of global storms. This is confirmed by the 2026 Growth Leaders ranking drawn up by Il Sole 24 Ore and Statista. But it faces many new challenges, starting with those imposed by rising production costs that companies are struggling to pass on to a mature domestic market, with increasing competitive pressure and made up of consumers with less purchasing power. Added to this are new consumption styles and changing eating habits. The link between health and nutrition is increasingly central in purchasing choices, linked to social factors such as the increased focus on personal well-being and the progressive ageing of the population. This healthy approach also involves the world of beverages, with the strong growth of new market segments, such as low or no alcohol beverages. In order to respond to emerging consumer needs, product innovation remains crucial and rewards the most active companies on this front, such as the Calabrian company Target, focused on the search for new products in the bakery world, but it also drives the demand for new-generation equipment, in which Italy is a recognised leader.

In this complex scenario, exports remain a trump card, even if further barriers to internationalisation, such as US tariffs, are putting the sector to the test. This is demonstrated by many successful cases, such as the Ignalat dairy, which has grown thanks to the boom in burrata cheese sent to more than 20 countries, or like Latterie di Sardegna/Reparo, which has made Sardinian pecorino cheese global. There is always the ability to respond to the demands of international markets behind the performance of companies that select Italian excellence and export it all over the world.