Italian Industry, Export, Brand Italy, 2025 Report
Quality Made in Italy: a € 170 Billion Lever
Quality Italian exports, defined as “Beautiful and Well Made” (BBF), exceed € 170 billion and remain a strategic lever for the country’s growth, according to the 13th report by the Confindustria Research Center. The study, presented at São Paulo Fashion Week and conducted in collaboration with SACE and with the support of ANFAO, Confindustria Accessori Moda, Confindustria Moda, Confindustria Nautica, Federalimentare, and FederlegnoArredo, highlights an additional € 27.6 billion in export potential and defines Latin America as the new trade frontier, driven by the EU-Mercosur agreement and an average annual growth of 10%.
Mature and Emerging Markets: Growth Potential
The report estimates an additional potential of € 27.6 billion in BBF exports, with € 19.4 billion in mature markets (USA, Germany, France, UK, Spain) and € 8.2 billion in emerging markets (China, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Russia, Kazakhstan). The driving sectors remain food, fashion, furniture, and jewelry, symbols of Italian identity and creativity.
Latin America: The New Frontier for Made in Italy
Latin America and the Caribbean continues to be fertile ground for economic and cultural cooperation. Between 2018 and 2024, exports of Italian BBF products to the region grew by an average of 10% annually, driven by a growing demand for creativity, sustainability, and know-how. A key factor is the communities of Italian origin, which further strengthen this bond, making the region a new frontier for the “Italy brand.”
EU-Mercosur Agreement: What are the advantages for Made in Italy?
Duty Reduction: € 4 billion.
GI Protection: 57 Italian protected geographical indications.
Additional Export Potential: Over € 1.1 billion.
A key element that promises to usher in a new phase in Euro-Latin American relations is undoubtedly the agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, approved by the European Commission in 2024. This agreement promises to eliminate € 4 billion in tariffs, guarantee the protection of 57 Italian geographical indications, and create new investment opportunities.
According to the Confindustria Research Center, the agreement could unlock over € 1.1 billion in additional export potential for Italian companies, in addition to the € 7.4 billion already achieved in 2024.
The Strategic Importance of the EU-Mercosur Agreement: Confindustria’s Vision
Barbara Cimmino, Vice President for Export and Investment Attraction at Confindustria, strongly emphasized the strategic value of the EU-Mercosur agreement:
Strengthening Made in Italy requires a strategy of opening up, not closing, trade. The agreement with Mercosur is a test of Europe’s ability to act as a global economic powerhouse and of Italy’s ability to promote relationships based on mutual exchange and shared growth. This is why member states must demonstrate their ability to move quickly and cohesively by ratifying this free trade agreement as soon as possible. We need a foreign economic policy that focuses on cooperation, sustainability, and the valorization of the cultural content of our products, supporting businesses in the most dynamic markets and strengthening the value of the Italian brand worldwide.
Protection of the Italian brand and sustainable transition
Finally, the report highlights two crucial challenges: protecting Made in Italy against counterfeiting and “Italian-sounding” products, and the sustainable transition of production. Expansion in Latin America, combined with digital transformation and new platforms, will consolidate Italy’s presence as a reliable and innovative partner in the new global trade routes.
What does “Beautiful and Well-Made” (BBF) mean in the context of Italian exports?
“Beautiful and Well-Made” (BBF) is the set of quality Made in Italy products that combine craftsmanship, innovation, and sustainability, and whose export value exceeds € 170 billion.
How much are BBF (Beautiful and Well-Made) exports worth?
Exports of “Beautiful and Well-Made” (BBF) products are worth over € 170 billion.
What is the estimated additional growth potential for BBF exports?
The study estimates an additional export potential of € 27.6 billion, of which € 8.2 billion in emerging markets and € 19.4 billion in mature markets.
What are the driving sectors of BBF exports?
The driving sectors are food, fashion, furniture, and jewelry.
Why is Latin America important for Made in Italy?
Between 2018 and 2024, BBF exports to Latin America and the Caribbean grew by an average of 10% annually, driven by demand and communities of Italian origin.
What benefits are expected from the EU-Mercosur Agreement?
The EU-Mercosur Agreement, approved in 2024, promises to eliminate € 4 billion in tariffs, protect 57 Italian geographical indications, and unlock over € 1.1 billion in additional export potential.
October 18, 2025
Tullio Buccellato
Research Center
Confindustria
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