According to Istat data published in May 2026, Italian exports grew in March 2026, both in terms of sales in European markets and in some non-EU economies. Looking at the geographical distribution of Made in Italy abroad, in fact, Europe stands out but there are some countries that are proving to be interesting commercial outlets for companies.
How much exports to Italy have grown
In March 2026, Italian exports grew by 4.1% compared to the previous month, while on an annual basis the increase reached +7.4% in value and +4.2% in volume. Italy sells more abroad and does so not only thanks to an increase in prices, but also through a real increase in the quantities exported.
Exports to EU countries grew by 4.7% on a monthly basis, increasing at a faster rate than the +3.6% recorded in non-EU markets. Even on an annual basis the data confirms this trend:
- +9.6% for European Community;
- +5.1% of the rest of the world.
Where Italy is most expert in the EU
Despite the growing attention towards new emerging markets, the commercial heart of Italy still remains strongly linked to the European continent. Geographical proximity, greater regulatory integration and the solidity of industrial relations explain why countries such as France, Germany and Spain continue to represent very important partners for our country.
Indeed:
- Italian exports to France increased by 9.2%;
- towards Germany by 8.0%;
- towards Spain by 12.6%.
These are mature but still very dynamic markets for Made in Italy, especially in the mechanical, automotive, pharmaceutical and industrial semi-finished products sectors.
Switzerland is driving the export boom
The most surprising data of the month, however, concerns Switzerland, which records an increase in imports from Italy equal to +84.6% on an annual basis. However, an increase of this magnitude cannot be entirely attributed to the increase in Swiss final consumption of Italian products. In fact, the Swiss Confederation often plays a role as a commercial and financial hub, especially for sectors such as precious metals, chemicals and some industrial goods with high added value.
As explained in the Istat report, in fact, over half of the overall growth in Italian exports in March is explained precisely by the increase in metal sales, in particular towards Switzerland and France. This suggests that a significant part of the data is linked to supply chain and industrial transformation operations.
China accelerates: Made in Italy is increasingly popular in Asia
Among non-European markets, the most interesting data comes from China, where Italian exports grow by 23.9%. Despite the structural slowdown of the Chinese economy and global trade tensions, the Asian market continues to offer significant opportunities for Italian companies.
The most requested sectors remain the traditionally strong Made in Italy ones, namely:
- industrial machinery;
- pharmaceutical;
- luxury goods;
- premium agri-food products;
- technological components.
Where instead Italy sells less
Not all markets, however, show positive signs. In March 2026, in fact, Italian exports significantly decreased towards:
In the case of OPEC countries, the sharp decline may be influenced by the volatility of the energy sector and a reduction in exports linked to industrial components or intermediate goods. For Mercosur, however, the weakness of some South American economies and the competition from other international players probably weigh.
The sectors that drive Made in Italy
If we observe the product composition of exports, the driving force comes not only from the classic sectors of the Italian image, but above all from industry.
The sectors that are growing the most are:
- base metals and metal products (+38.6%);
- coke and refined petroleum products (+55.0%);
- motor vehicles (+15.8%);
- computers and electronics (+17.5%);
- pharmaceuticals (+4.6%);
- industrial machinery (+3.3%).
If once upon a time the collective imagination associated Italian exports above all with fashion, design and agri-food, today the country’s strength also lies in advanced manufacturing.
