World Pasta Day: an event to celebrate Italia’s leading position and an opportunity to boost growth abroad
Events and social media marathons are scheduled to take place around the world on 25 October. Unione Italiana Food: pasta is a matter of national identity, and the sector – which plays a central role in our economy – is called upon to grow and innovate further in order to compete ever more effectively abroad
Sunday 25 October marks the return of World Pasta Day: the programme includes events, social media marathons and celebrations around the world to highlight the sector’s strategic role in the Italian and international agri-food landscape.
The Italian pasta industry remains the world leader in the sector: in 2025, over 17.3 million tonnes of pasta were produced worldwide, of which almost 4.2 million tonnes were produced in Italia. Of this total, 2,456,940 tonnes were exported in 2025, with a 2.7 per cent increase in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
According to a study by Teha Group for Unione Italiana Food: the extended pasta supply chain, with a turnover of 13.5 billion euros in 2025 and an added value for the country of 3 billion euros, not only plays a role in the economy but also acts as a catalyst for socialising: more than 8 out of 10 Italians do not want to miss out on the social aspect of eating, and 68.6 per cent of young people have eaten pasta ‘outside mealtimes’ in the last year, particularly on social occasions. Food consumption has been stagnant for a decade, but pasta, bread and cereals are holding their own (+2.2%).
To mark the occasion, Unione Italiana Food presented a study by AstraRicerche which investigated “what life without pasta would be like” for Italians: for more than 9 out of 10, it would be poorer both culturally and gastronomically. Furthermore, more than 3 in 4 Italians associate it with pleasure and emotion (76.2 per cent), and more than 8 in 10 consider it a symbol of ‘Made in Italy’ excellence (85.2 per cent). For 43.4 per cent, it is also a solution to the high cost of living, thanks to its affordable price.
To mark World Pasta Day, the pasta producers of Unione Italiana Food have set out their commitment to the future of pasta in a manifesto: their priorities include ‘building a more competitive supply chain, supporting exports and investing in young people and innovation’ .
