May 12 – The “beautiful and well made” products (Bbf) have taken by storm thirty major new markets: with exports estimated at €16 billion in 2020, from the €11 billion of 2014, a 45% increase in six years (+ 27% compared to mature markets). Russia will remain the main market for Italian companies (€3.5 billion in 2020), but growth will be affected by the difficult macroeconomic and political situation. The UAE will be the second largest market (€3.3 billion) and will record the strongest growth in imports (€1.3 billion). In third place come China with €2.2 billion and a very significant increase in imports (€0.7 billion). These are the estimates of the sixth edition of “Exporting la dolce vita”, presented at Expo by the Confindustria Study Centre and Prometeia – with the contribution of Anfao, Anica, Assocalzaturifici, Confindustria Hotels, Federalimentare FederlegnoArredo, Federorafi and SMI. The research identifies “beautiful and well made” products with consumer goods of medium-high range which are characterized by a particular design, care, the quality of materials and workmanship. In particular, “Exporting la dolce vita” focuses on food, furniture, clothing and textiles, footwear, eyewear and jewelry. Italian product exports are growing thanks to the expansion of the upper class. In 2020, in fact, there will be 224 million more rich people than in 2014; half of them will reside in the major urban centers of China, India and Indonesia, but also in countries closer to Italy, such as Turkey. In these economies, Italian products are a status symbol for consumers, thanks to the reputation of the big brands, but also to the overall appeal of Italy and made in Italy as a brand. Yet, great opportunities don’t always translate into easy access for Italian companies. A special index was created to assess the accessibility of these markets; and in the ranking of thirty countries, the UAE lead in all sectors, followed in many cases by Malaysian and European markets; Russia and China, essential for Italian exports, are never among the top ten.
