Setback for Italian industry. According to data released by Istat, the seasonally adjusted turnover index of mining and manufacturing activities decreased by 1% compared to May in value and by 0.7% in volume. The decline affected both the domestic and foreign markets, confirming a phase of weakness especially in terms of sales volumes.
On the Italian market, turnover fell by 1% in value and 0.4% in volume. Foreign sales also recorded a contraction of 1% in value, accompanied by a more marked decrease in volumes, equal to 1.3%.
Data from the Italian industry
The Italian industry has been in difficulty for some time, even if the data compared to previous months is more encouraging. In fact, between April and June 2026, turnover increased by 1.2% in value compared to the previous three months, while in volume it recorded a reduction of 0.9%.
In the services sector in June, Istat noted a zero change in turnover in value compared to May and a decrease of 0.4% in volume. The overall figure is the result of very different trends between the individual sectors.
They also decreased:
- accommodation and restaurant services, down 1.3% in value and 1.4% in volume;
- real estate activities, which lost 1.8% in value and 1.1% in volume;
- professional, scientific and technical activities, down by 2.5% in value and 2.8% in volume;
- other services, overall down by 0.4% in value and 0.7% in volume.
In the second quarter, however, the services sector maintained a positive trend: turnover increased by 0.9% in value and 0.1% in volume compared to the first quarter.
Turnover is growing, but volumes are decreasing
Even looking at June 2025, we can see growth in industrial turnover in value, equal to 3.1%. In volume, however, the index decreased by 0.9%. Industrial companies therefore collected more, but sold a slightly lower overall quantity of goods.
The growth in value was strongest on the foreign market, where it reached 4.6%, while on the domestic market it stopped at 2.3%. In terms of volume, domestic sales decreased by 1.8%, while foreign sales increased by 0.8%.
For services, again on an annual basis and net of calendar effects, turnover grew by 3.2% in value, while volumes decreased by 0.5%. Wholesale trade was the most dynamic sector, with an increase of 4.2% in value and 0.8% in volume. In other services, turnover rose by 1.9%, but volumes fell by 0.5%.
Energy down on a monthly basis
In June, compared to May, turnover in value increased by 0.3% for consumer goods and by 0.4% for intermediate goods. However, capital goods decreased by 2.6% and energy by 7.1%. But on an annual basis, energy itself recorded an increase of 22.2%. The performance of intermediate goods, which grew by 5.4%, and capital goods, which increased by 0.8%, was also positive. The only negative change was that of consumer goods, down 1.2%.
Unc: “Bad data”
A picture that also worries consumer associations. “Bad data” says Massimiliano Dona, president of the National Consumers Union, commenting on the Istat data on turnover:
On a monthly basis there is a debacle. Turnover is decreasing everywhere: domestic and foreign markets, in value and volume. In short, no one is saved. The trend comparison, however, is in positive territory with +3.1% but only due to inflation, given that in volume it is reduced by 0.9% and the most worrying thing is that the domestic market is driving the turnover down compared to June 2025. A clear indicator of how family consumption is not growing.
