Global pasta production reached 14.5 million tonnes in 2014, compared to some 9.3 million tonnes in 1999, with Italy is the leading producer amounting 3.5 million tonnes last year.
One out of four pasta consumed in the world (70 per cent in Europe) is produced in Italy. In fact, Italian pasta exports have grown by about 50 per cent in 15 years.
Italy currently exports 57 per cent of its domestic production (about 2 million tonnes) for a value of €2 billion - compared to 54 per cent five years ago, 48 per cent in 2000 and five per cent in 1955.
Germany confirmed its position in 2014 as the main market for Italian pasta (over 360,000 tonnes, 18.3 per cent of the total), followed by the UK and France, both with 278,000 tonnes and 14.1 per cent of the total. Outside Europe, the United States sit in first place, with 151,000 tonnes (7.7% in volume and 9.5% in value), ahead of Japan (3.8% by volume). These markets account for 58% of Italian pasta exports.
Significantly, Italian pasta lovers are increasing in emerging markets, with strong growth in Russia (+11.5%), India (15.4%) and China (37.9%).
Italy is also top for pasta consumption at 25 kilos per capita/year, followed by Tunisia (16 kg), Venezuela (12 kg) and Greece (11.2 kg). The United States are in 7th place (with 8.8 kg), while the Asian pasta lovers are led by Iran (8.5 kg) and Turkey (7.5 kg). Argentina (9.1 kg) has passed from 12th to 6th place of this ranking in just four years.
The data was published on occasion of World Pasta Day & Congress 2015, organised by the International Pasta Organization (IPO) and the Italian Association of Confectionery and Pasta Industries (AIDEPI).
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
