T. Ozbun
Research expert covering food retail and all food topics for Italy and Brazil
Agricultural industry in Italy - statistics & facts
Although Italy was traditionally an agricultural country until the Second World War, the country transitioned towards a more industrialized landscape in the subsequent years, leading to a decline in its agricultural sector. This shift is evident as in the past decade, the agricultural value added accounted for only approximately two percent of the total GDP. Nevertheless, agriculture remains a noteworthy and expanding industry in Italy, with an added value of around 43.7 billion U.S. dollars.
Despite the decreasing share of GDP attributed to Italian agriculture, it remains a growing and substantial industry within the country.
Land use and crop production
In 2021, Italy possessed a total of 7.2 million hectares of arable land. The quantity of arable land has varied over time, peaking in the most recent period. The country's topography exhibits notable variations not only from north to south but also between coastal and mountainous regions along its length. A substantial proportion of the arable land is situated in the two primary plains, the Pianura Padana in the north and the Tavoliere delle Puglie in the south, owing to their flat terrain, which facilitates easy farming and high productivity. Nevertheless, the hilly terrain, particularly more prevalent in the southern regions, is suitable for various types of crops. Organic farming has emerged as a significant and expanding sector. By 2021, close to 17 percent of the total farmland was designated for organic agriculture. This marked a considerable increase compared to just a decade earlier when organic farming accounted for under nine percent of the farmland share.Livestock farming in Italy
Livestock farming, an important sector within Italy's agricultural industry, exhibits a similar distribution pattern. This is attributed to the suitability of the plains for intensive farming practices. By 2023, Italy boasted nearly six million heads of cattle. However, Italy's livestock sector is not limited to cattle alone; goats, sheep, and swine also play central roles. The country keeps approximately 9.2 million swine, surpassing the number of cattle, underscoring Italy's preference for pork in its culinary landscape. In fact, prosciutto, salami, and mortadella are all famous cuts of Italian meat made with pork.Despite the decreasing share of GDP attributed to Italian agriculture, it remains a growing and substantial industry within the country.
