Exports of Italian Christmas-themed products, including sparkling wine and panettone, reached €2.2 billion in the first nine months of 2018, up 6.1% year-on-year.
According to figures published by the Milan Monza Brianza Lodi Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Promos, the UK and the US are the main destinations for Italian festive products.
France is third highest for exports, followed by Germany, Switzerland and Belgium.
Sparkling wine and prosecco are most popular in the UK (€282 million, +5.3%) and the US (€245 million, +13%), but demand from Belgium (+33.5%) and Sweden is on the rise (+31.6%).
Panettone and pastry products are most popular in France (€173 million, +5.3%), but are increasingly appreciated in Australia (+5.4%).
Hams and cotechino (pork sausage) are popular in France (€29 million, +5.6%) and Germany (€23 million, +11.4%), with strong growth in Canada (+392%), albeit from a low base.
Confectionery Sales
A survey by Confartigianato and Osservatorio Sigep found that Italian customers spent €6.2 billion on artisanal Christmas sweets and confectionery this year, higher than the previous year.
Another survey, this time by SNG for the National Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium Enterprises (CNA), claims that the turnover from Christmas confectionery sales will be 7% higher than in 2017, amounting to €700 million.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
