Exports of food technologies represented by Anima Confindustria totalled 2.72 billion euros in the first half of 2026, recording a slight decline of 0.5 per cent compared with the same period in 2025. This broadly stable result masks differing trends across sectors, with growth in professional espresso machines and refrigeration compressors offsetting declines in other segments.
According to analyses by Anima Confindustria’s Statistics & Market Intelligence Office based on Istat data, bakery machinery and ovens remain in first place by export value, at €415.3 million, down slightly by 0.5 per cent. These are followed by professional espresso machines, which reached 413 million, up by 6.9 per cent, and household goods (pots, pans and cutlery), at 399.4 million, an increase of 1.7 per cent. Refrigeration compressors also performed well, with exports rising by 10.4 per cent to 393.7 million.
The overall result was held back primarily by machinery and plant for fruit processing (-33 per cent) and automatic vending machines, which fell by 13 per cent to 191.4 million. Exports of commercial refrigeration equipment also declined, totalling 388.7 million euros (-4.5 per cent).
“Food technologies are a strategic component of the Italian mechanical engineering sector: they underpin the quality of the food supply chain with solutions that combine productivity, efficiency and safety, bringing the expertise and innovation of our companies to international markets”, said Pietro Almici, president of Anima Confindustria. “Behind these results lie manufacturing operations deeply rooted in Italy and industrial clusters that safeguard jobs, skills and industrial know-how. The resilience of exports in the first half of the year is a significant sign, but the difficulties faced by certain sectors require attention”.
The half-year picture follows a 2025 that closed with exports totalling over €5.5 billion and growth of 6 per cent. The international focus remains a distinctive feature of the food technologies represented by Anima, which export around 70 per cent of their total production.
On the imports front, in the first six months of 2026 the value reached 977.3 million euros, up 1 per cent compared with the same period in 2025. The main categories were refrigeration compressors (+1.4 per cent) and household goods, totalling 355.3 million (+3.5 per cent).
“To strengthen our presence abroad,” concludes Almici, “and support the domestic market, we need fair competitive conditions, effective controls on imported products and compliance with the same safety and conformity requirements as those imposed on Italian and European manufacturers. Competitiveness must be based on quality and innovation, with rules applied to all operators”.
