(Sept. 18) – Despite the contraction of domestic demand, the Italian export is growing, especially the food and agriculture sector. In fact, beyond national borders spaghetti and mozzarella cheese, wines and sparkling wines are always “fashionable”. The Made in Italy is constantly growing, as evidenced by Istat data that show in July, an annual increase of 11,2% for exports of food and wine. The Italian Farmers Confederation (CIA) highlights this figures, explaining that “after closing 2011 with a record turnover of 23 billion euro, this year the export of food products put the turbo: only in July it travels at a double speed if compared to sales across the border (+4.3%)”. However, there is a “but”: “At the moment, 80% of export of food and wine is made up of products from the food sector,” says the CIA. “The export of fresh agricultural products is collapsing (-5,5% in the first five months of the year). This is mainly due the constant growth of production costs and the parallel fall of prices at the origin. A devastating combination that has discouraged many to sow and plant, with a 6% growth of the land left fallow.” “It is necessary – this is the appeal of the CIA – to strengthen the capacity of agricultural enterprises to export and invest abroad, creating legal instruments that directly support, simplify and rationalize resources”. “It is strongly needed a promoting policy on international markets showing the products of our agriculture in the positive trend wake of pasta, parmesan cheese and wine ‘made in Italy,” concludes the CIA. (red)
