Organic, a market on the move

May 2022

Domestic sales are growing and even more so are exports. Changing consumption habits.

The Italian organic food market is growing and taking new directions. Rising above all are exports in 2021 (year ending July), which put a +11% increase over the previous period and reach a total of 2,907 mln euros. The figure - in line with agri-food exports as a whole (+10% Jan-Jul 2021-20) - can be read as an attestation of organic Made in Italy on international markets, an attestation that is also confirmed by the long-term growth (+156% compared to 2009) and the share of exports in the Made in Italy basket (6% of total Italian agri-food exports).

These numbers are matched by those of the domestic market, which in July 2021 had reached 4,573 mln euros, of which 3,872 mln euros were for domestic consumption and more than 700 mln euros for "away from home", the latter growing by 10% over 2020.
The "away from home" segment, which includes collective and commercial catering, restaurants and specialized organic and generalist bars, as well as agritourisms and other public establishments, will be the subject of special attention during SANA 2022, which, with the aim of reading and responding to market trends will offer in-depth analysis and moments dedicated to occasions of consumption away from home, such as breakfast and aperitifs.

If the domestic market grows by 133% in the period 2021-2011, the channel of greatest weight is the modern distribution channel, which stands at 56% of the total for 2,153 mln euros, up 2% in the period 2021-20. At the same time, the value of organic specialty stores is growing, which, with their 26%, are close to 1 billion euros in sales.

On the other hand, more and more households are choosing organic and natural: 23 million, with a penetration index of 89%, those who have purchased organic products at least once in the last year, and as many as 54% of respondents declare themselves to be regular consumers. Among the reasons that guide the composition of the shopping cart include with increasing incidence packaging and sustainable production, as well as attention to nutritious and healthy ingredients.

Source: SANA-Nomisma SurveyFobs 2021