• Gruppo Alce Nero leads the organic segment in Italy with a value share of 9.8% in 2023, followed by Biscopan Srl with a value share of 8.1% and Fileni Simar SRL with a share of 6.5%. 
• Italy ranks 15th globally in terms of market size, with a value of US$984.9 mn in 2023. It is also the seventh-largest consumer market for Organic Packaged Food and Beverages in Western Europe.

• • Organic products in Italy represent 1.6% of global demand and 4.5% of the market in the Western Europe region, recording a per capita expenditure of US$16.7 in 2023. 
  • The Italian market for organic products is projected to decline at a CAGR of 1.0% for the forecast period 2023-2028 in 2023 constant prices with fixed USD exchange rates, reaching a value of US$936.5 mn by 2028.

• The Organic Packaged Food and Beverages category in Italy registered a value decline of 5.7% in 2023 in current prices to record a market size of US$984.9 million. 
• During the historic period of 2019-2023, the Organic Packaged Food category registered a CAGR of 5.1% in current prices. However, for the forecast period from 2023 to 2028, the category is expected to show decline, with a projected negative CAGR of 1.1% in constant prices.
• Organic Beverages grew historically at 8.4% current CAGR, and it is also expected to decline over the forecast period by a 0.2% constant CAGR.
• Growth in Organic Packaged Food was primarily led by Organic Dairy Products and Alternatives, which recorded a 9.9% current CAGR during the historic period. However, growth is expected to slow down significantly at a constant CAGR of 0.1% over the forecast period.
• Within Organic Beverages, Organic Hot Drinks drove historic growth and is expected to drive projected growth, with CAGRs of a current 9.6% and a constant 2.8%, respectively.

• Rising levels of overweight and obesity in Italy have increased the focus to follow a healthy and nutritious diet, as overweight and obesity are linked to various diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer. According to Euromonitor International's Voice of the Consumer survey from January - February 2024, 59% of consumers in Italy look for products that contain healthy ingredients in their food and beverages and 45% of consumers closely read the nutritional labels of food and beverages.
• Organic products are becoming a staple for Italian consumers, as retailers’ shelves have become increasingly crowded with organic products, with many stores creating specific areas dedicated to them. This is mainly due to developments to incentivize the production of organic products, as in 2022 a new law was approved to create a new “Organic Made in Italy” label, providing financial support to organic farmers via funds raised through a 2% pollution tax that is being imposed on companies which produce phytosanitary products that are deemed harmful to the environment.

• Gruppo Alce Nero is leading the Organic Packaged Food category with a market share of 10.4% in 2023. However, the company lost 4.0 p.p. compared to 2022, a period in which other competitors such as Biscopan Srl, Fileni Simar SRL and Deoleo SA all registered growth in market share.
• Luigi Lavazza SpA continued to lead Organic Beverages in 2023, growing 2.9 p.p. from the previous year. The company prides itself on its ¡Tierra! brand, a 100% arabica organic coffee from Ecuador.

• Italian consumers will look for better pasta and bread options, two of the most popular staple foods in the country, as many consumers have started to turn towards products with added health benefits, becoming increasingly focused on the quality of the ingredients more than the price and are reading product labels more carefully. High protein pasta and bread is one of the the main alternatives to traditional variants, as some dietary regimes recommend using this type of pasta and bread to decrease carbohydrate consumption by ensuring an adequate balance between protein, fat, and carbohydrate intake. It also has a minimal sugar content and is therefore also suitable for diabetics.
• Across the forecast period, sales of Organic Snacks are set to grow, with retail sales projected to rise at a 3.1% constant value CAGR to reach US$96.7 million in 2028. Millennials and younger generations are the driving force behind the success of organic snacks, as these consumers are more inclined to change their eating habits than older generations. Across the forecast period, Organic Sweet Biscuits will be the product with the highest growth in the Organic Snacks landscape, reaching sales of US$18.9 million, supported by a forecast CAGR of 17.3%.

• Gluten free is one of the most important claims across Health and Wellness products in Italy, as many consumers perceive dietary and free from products to be nutritionally favorable compared with more traditional products, while there is also growing awareness of food intolerances and their links to health. While only an estimated 1% of Italy’s population suffer from celiac disease (autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten), there are many other consumers who are looking to reduce their gluten intake due to the perceived negative impact on their health.
• The Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (Masaf) has extended the mandatory origin labeling requirement for specific food products until December 31, 2025. The regulation mandates that labels on certain foods such as rice, pasta, tomato products, milk and dairy products and processed pork must indicate the country of origin of the primary ingredient. This measure aims to enhance consumer transparency, combat counterfeiting, and protect Italian agri-food production chains, while the European Commission works on revising labeling regulations to harmonize rules across the EU.

Economy: 

• Italy's economy is projected to have modest growth in 2025, with an expected 0.5% increase in real GDP growth. This slow growth is primarily attributed to increased household spending and government expenditure, as well as Italy’s budget deficit falling more than expected.
• Real GDP growth is anticipated to gradually recover, reaching 0.9% in 2026 and averaging around 0.8% annually through 2028.
• Inflation closed 2024 at 1.0% and is expected to accelerate to 1.8% in 2025.

 Population demographics: 

• Italy's population reached 59.0 million in 2024 and is projected to stay the same in 2025. Italy is the second oldest country by median age of the population in Western Europe, as the percentage of its population over 65+ years old has increased from 23.3% in 2020 to 24.3% in 2024. 
• The median age in Italy was recorded at 48.7 years in 2024, an increase of 1.5 years from 2020. 

Income & expenditure: 

• The savings ratio in Italy reached 6.7% of disposable income in 2024, continuing a downward trend in recent years, driven by increasing cost of living and a decrease in disposable income per capita.
• Consumer expenditure per capita increased by 2.2% in 2024 in current USD terms. In constant USD, it is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.3% through 2028. This growth is likely driven by increased spending on hotels and catering, although housing is projected to remain the largest consumer spending category.
• Disposable income per capita was US$24,383 in 2024. It is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.0% through 2028, slightly lower than the average for Western Europe.

¹ Health and Wellness Definition: Health and wellness is the aggregation of organic packaged food and beverages, fortified/functional packaged food and beverages, naturally healthy packaged food and beverages, better for you packaged food and beverages and food intolerance products.

The above definition and more can be referenced from the definitions table at the end of the report

² Economic and Demographic Data has been updated to reflect final 2024 estimates, therefore using 2024 as the base year for exchange rates and prices. 

³ Historic current prices and forecast constant 2024 prices.

Top 5 Cities By Population

Top 5 Grocery Retailers By Sales

Top 5 Export Commodities To Italy

Note : Total organics is the sum of all exports to a country within a year

Authorized Government Agency(s):

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF)

SINAB National Information System on Organic Farming
SINAB Offices c/o Masaf - Via Venti Settembre, 20 - 00187 - ROME
Phone: +39 06 46656085 -
Email: sportelloinfo@sinab.it

European Union (EU) Member States retain the authority to determine additional requirements for production within their country. They can also determine exceptions due to catastrophic circumstances, but cannot restrict access to products in compliance with EU regulations. In addition, the EC delegates most authority for the administration of organic programs to the Member States.

Name(s) of Regulation and/or Standard:

The European Union has an Equivalency Agreement with the United States.

This 2022 consolidated version repeals and replaces previous organic regulations and contains the basic legislative act plus amendments and corrections that set the rules on organic production and labeling of organic products: EU 2018/848 (pdf in English) 

Key secondary acts not included in consolidated EU 2018/848 include: 

• Retroactive recognition for the purpose of conversion, the production of organic products and information to be provided by EU countries: EU 2020/464 (pdf in English)
• Conditions for authorization and lists of authorized products and substances for use in organic production: EU 2021/1165 (pdf in English)
• Supplemental rules on the official control, traceability and mass balance checks for operators and groups of operators: EU 2021/771 (pdf in English)

A full list of basic legislative act and secondary acts is available here. 

National regulations on organic farming in Italy
Overview on regulations concerning organic farming in Italy. Choose “normative nazionale” to get a list of the national rules. The national rules are only relevant for Italian companies, not for companies exporting organic products to Italy

Date of Implementation: 1992

Regulation and/or Standard Scope:

EU standards cover crop, livestock, processing, and certification of groups of operators. Farm and handling plans are required, as well as detailed record keeping and detailed livestock feed standards.  Specific standards are included for aquaculture, seaweed, yeast, bees, sprouted seeds, chicory heads, wine, mushrooms, and salt. Criteria for determining allowed materials include consistency with the objectives and principles of organic farming, and materials must be of plant, animal, microbial or mineral origin. Synthetic substances, however, may be used when they replicate the natural sources and when they are approved for organic production in the EU.

EU requires that imported organic products meet EU standards. Non-EU organic products must include country of origin labeling if they wish to use the EU organic logo. Use of the EU organic logo is not required for products from outside the EU. EU requires that imported products must be from countries that have been recognized by the EU (third-countries) and certified by recognized control bodies (certifiers); or countries with bilateral equivalency arrangements (Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, U.S.); or countries with equivalency agreements (Chile, Switzerland, UK).

List of third countries and the list of control authorities and control bodies recognized for the purpose of importing organic products into the EU: EU 2021/2325 (pdf in English)

Requirements have been established for importers, operators responsible for the consignments, first consignees and consignees for the import of organic and in-conversion products into the EU.

Documents and notification required EU 2021/2307 (pdf in English)

Beginning February 3, 2020, port of entry health authorities will only endorse a certificate of inspection if the certifier issued it prior to export. Certain sections of the certificates (boxes 13, 16, and 17) may be filled in with provisional information, since certifiers can not verify all of the data before the product is exported. The provisional information must be confirmed/updated within 10 days, and before the certificate can be endorsed at the port of entry.

Exports from the U.S. to EU must adhere to the EU procedures and require an EU Certificate of Inspection (COI). A USDA-accredited certifying agent must complete an electronic COI through the European Union's Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) before the product leaves the U.S. Certain edits to the COI may only be made within 10 days of issuing the original COI.

EU Trade in Organics

The EU requires organic certification for all those involved in production and handling, including importers. EU requires ALL processing operations to be certified, even if those products are below the 95% threshold for the "Organic" label.

EU delegates the authority for investigations, non compliance, mediation, and testing, as well as reporting, exclusion from organic sale, emergency treatments and appeals to the Member States in accordance with their respective control system plans.

The EU allows private sector standards for the product categories, such as cosmetics and textiles, which are not fully regulated by the EU.  In the EU certifiers (control bodies) can require additional organic crop, livestock and processing standards in association with the use of their certification seal.

The EU has unified the control systems that Member States and control bodies implement for investigations, non-compliance, mediation, testing, reporting, exclusion from organic sale, emergency treatments and appeals.  Required reports, records and certificates are submitted in electronic format through the use of the Organic Farming Information System.  

In addition to the EU organic regulations for certification and accreditation procedures, the requirements of EN 45011 and ISO Guide 65 for accreditation must be met. 

Requirements for recognition of control authorities and control bodies: EU 2021/1698 (pdf in English)

Use of Organic Farming Information System and templates for annual reports: EU 2021/1935 (pdf in English)

Record keeping and declaration requirements from operators and groups of operators EU 2021/2119 (pdf in English)

List of control authorities and control bodies for equivalence 

Control bodies in the European Union

FiBL Country reports
U.S. International Trade Administration

USDA’s GAIN Report Italy Food Processing Ingredients (2024)
USDA’s GAIN Report Italy Food Service - Hotel Restaurant Institutional (2024) 
USDA’s GAIN Report Italy Retail Foods (2024)
USDA’s GAIN Report Italy Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate (2024)
USDA’s GAIN Report Italy Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report (2023)
USDA’s GAIN Report Italy Exporter Guide (2024)

USDA's GAIN Report Economic Woes Slows Growth in EU Organic Sales (2024)
USDA’s GAIN Report EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Country Report (2024)
USDA’s GAIN Report EU Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Export Certificate Report Annual(2023)
USDA's GAIN Report EU 2024 Promotion Programs for Agricultural Products (2023)
USDA's GAIN Report EU Adopts New Rules for Organic Pet Food (2023)
USDA’s GAIN Report Procedure for EU TRACES Registration of Honey and Other Apiculture Products Establishments - New EU Market Access Rules from 29 November 2024 (2024)
USDA’S GAIN Report EU Consumers save on food and buy less organic in 2022 (2023)
USDA’S GAIN Report COVID-19 Boosts Organic Food Sales in the EU (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report Update on Changing EU Import Conditions for Composite Products (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report European Commission Launches Public Consultation on the Revision of EU Food Labeling Requirements (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report New EU Labeling Rules for Wines (2022)
USDA’S GAIN Report Continuing Good Prospects for US Organic Exports to the EU (2021)
USDA’S GAIN Report New EU Organic Regulation Entering Into Force in 2021 Regulatory Update (2020)
USDA’S GAIN Report EU Launches Consultation on Future Organics Action Plan (Sept. 2020)
USDA’S GAIN Report Food Labeling Initiatives in the EU Farm to Fork Strategy (2020)
USDA’S GAIN Report Pesticides Initiatives in the EU Farm to Fork Strategy (2020)
USDA’S GAIN Report Good Prospects for US Organic Exports in the EU (2020)