L’export of agricultural machinery made in Italy continues to be a key pillar for the industry, despite the decline in domestic sales in the country in recent years. In fact, global demand has remained high, Supporting the business of domestic agricultural mechanics, although there was a decline in 2023. Pending the full data for 2024, the sector ended the previous year with a record turnover of 16.4 billion euros, marking a 6% increase over 2022 (Source: AgroNotizie).
This outstanding achievement was largely driven by the Exports of tractors, agricultural machinery, components and landscaping equipment, which constitute about 70% of the value of Italian production.
In 2023, tractor exports decreased slightly in terms of units compared to 2022 (-4.2%, with 42,146 machines), but increased by 17% in terms of value, from a turnover of just over 1.7 billion to nearly 2 billion euros (Source: FederUnacoma processing of Istat data).
Thanks to these achievements, Italy ranked fourth in the 2023 ranking of major tractor exporting countries, preceded only by Germany, the United States and France.
Regarding the export of other agricultural machinery, which is tracked by weight rather than number of units, a similar trend to that of tractors is observed. In fact, in 2023, there was a 3% decrease in terms of weight, but a 7.4% increase in value compared to 2022, rising from 4.7 billion to 5 billion euros. This growth was made possible by an increase in export turnover both within the EU27, with an increase of 7.2%, and outside the EU, with an increase of 7.7% (Source: elaborations FederUnacoma on Istat data).
As Lorenzo Galanti, director general of the ICE Agency, said during the last presentation of Eima 2024: “The agricultural machinery sector represents a true excellence of made-in-Italy technology. In particular, we are recognized for our specific expertise in solutions for small and medium-sized crops, which mainly cover high value-added crops“.
While playing a prestigious international role, the’export of agricultural machinery Italian faces several challenges, especially in non-EU markets. Ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions have had a significant impact on the sector. In particular, the escalating conflict in the Middle East has hit the sector hard. This has caused a drastic drop in transits through Bab el-Mandeb and the Suez Canal.
As a result, ships carrying goods between Europe and Asia have been forced to circumnavigate Africa, a significantly longer and more expensive route. Among the sectors hardest hit by the crisis in ocean shipping is precisely agricultural machinery.
What are the Foreign countries buying more tractors produced in Italy? During the past year, the main buyers of Italian tractors were non-EU European countries, which absorbed 16% of the total, or more than 6,700 machines. The Americas followed, with a share of 11%, corresponding to about 4,600 units.
Looking at individual countries, the France is confirmed as the main trading partner for Italian tractors, with exports exceeding 344 million euros. It is followed by the Germany with nearly 252 million, Turkey with over 182 million and the United States with over 171 million. The other countries in the Top Ten of 2023 are predominantly European, with the exception of South Africa, and the value of exports to these countries is increasing from 2022 (Source: Elaboration FederUnacoma on Istat data).
L’Europe also remains the main market for other agricultural machinery produced in Italy. The largest buyers of agricultural machinery other than tractors, however, are the United States, with exports worth nearly 706 million euros. In second and third place are France, with more than 632 million, and Germany, with about 510 million, respectively. The ranking 2023 of major importers of Italian machinery is dominated by European countries, with the sole exception of Chile.
The value of the’export of agricultural machinery to major EU markets is almost always up from 2022. However, as with tractors, the growth in value is attributable to a list price increase rather than to an increase in exported volumes. In fact, according to a FederUnacoma sample survey, the number of machinery exported in 2023 decreased compared to 2022 in almost all segments except handling and transport equipment.
Exports have played a crucial role for the sector, registering steady growth over the past decade to 2023, with a 9.3% increase.
As for non-European countries, despite the general contraction of the global market, the GATE countries (*Growing, Ambitious, Transforming, Entrepreneurial*), including. India, Vietnam, Turkey, Saudi Arabia e United Arab Emirates, have shown strong demand for Italian agricultural machinery, recording a 46.9% growth 2023. This increase is particularly significant in an economic context characterized by uncertainties and geopolitical challenges, highlighting the ability of Italian producers to adapt and respond to the specific needs of these rapidly changing markets.
In addition, more markets are opening up in Southeast Asia, which offer attractive opportunities for Italian producers. Last year, l’Indonesia imported 106 Italian tractors, as well as a significant number of other agricultural machinery, according to FederUnacoma data. This growing interest in Italian products in Indonesia reflects not only the quality and innovation of Italian agricultural machinery, but also the growing Need to modernize agriculture in these regions to increase efficiency and productivity.
The focus on these emerging markets could lead to Closer collaborations between Italian companies and local partners, facilitating access to new technologies and know-how.
The ability to penetrate these markets not only strengthens the presence of Made in Italy internationally, but also helps to diversify sources of income, reducing dependence on traditional markets and increasing the resilience of the Italian agricultural sector.
Le Italian exports to the United States continue to show a positive trend. In the past three years, the number of tractors exported increased from 2,981 to 3,052 units, an increase in value of more than 61 million euros. At the same time, agricultural machinery exports increased in value by nearly 200 million euros over the same period.
In 2024, this growth continues. In the first four months of the year, trade between the United States and Italy exceeded 320 million euros, marking a 7.6% increase compared to the same period in 2023 (Source: Istat data processed by FederUnacoma).
Currently, the U.S. absorbs 14.5% of Italian exports in the agro-mechanical sector, positioning it as the leading trading partner, ahead of France and Germany. In the first four months of 2024, U.S. imports of Italian operating machinery grew by 12.6% (250 million euros), while those of tractors declined slightly (-6.7%, or 71.2 million).
U.S. farmers particularly appreciate the wide range of products, technological innovation and the ability to customize equipment offered by the made in Italy.
The Italian agricultural sector is adapting to the principles of the’Agenda 2030, focusing on the adoption of 4.0 technologies to improve productivity and sustainability. Key innovations include intelligent tractors, telemetry systems and advanced communication protocols such as ISOBUS.
These tools not only optimize the efficiency of field operations, but also address the growing labor shortage, emphasizing the growing importance of the agricultural machinery operator as an expanding profession. This development could have positive repercussions on the’export of agricultural machinery, as the adoption of advanced technologies makes Italian products more competitive and attractive in international markets.
Against a backdrop of global challenges, Italy continues to focus on innovation and institutional support to maintain its position as a leadership in the international agricultural industry. Italian institutions are working to create an environment conducive to innovation, promoting research and development and facilitating access to foreign markets.
Octagona, a leader in the’internationalization of enterprises, is ready to support Italian businesses that wish to expand beyond their national borders and penetrate foreign markets, whatever business is involved.
We offer not only strategic consulting but also a targeted operational support to help companies navigate the complexities of international trade, identifying opportunities for growth and developing effective entry strategies. For any further information, we invite you to contact us.
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