Examining industry opportunities from around the world

The Republic of Italy is a boot-shaped peninsula located in southern Europe, nestled into the Mediterranean Sea. The country is well known for its gorgeous landscape, rich history, delicious cuisine, and inviting villas. Italy has the ninth largest economy in the world and is ranked fifth in Europe. The country’s economical profile is split between the more industrial and wealthy north, and predominantly agricultural and more rural south. Though most noted for wine and cars, Italy has been a growing force in the fruit and vegetable market as well.

Regarding trade with the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently approved a preclearance plan for apple and pear exports from Italy. This is expected to bolster trade between the two nations, as there is no free trade agreement currently in force.

Through the summer of 2013, Italy reported an overall worldwide trade surplus of over $4.8 billion. Roughly over 2.5 million tons of fruit are imported annually, with citrus accounting for nearly a third of shipments. Italy grows a variety of its own fruit; more than half of the country’s growers are located in Sicily with acres devoted to apples, oranges, pears, grapes, kiwifruit, and more. Table grapes, in particular, saw a 60 percent rise in exports, mainly to Russia, but Italy has gained considerable attention of late for its kiwifruit. It is the world’s top producer of kiwis—over 450,000 tons annually—even greater than New Zealand, the exotic fruit’s original homeland.

FAST FACTS
Location:
Southern Europe, touching the Mediterranean Sea, northeast of East Africa

Total area:
land: 294,140 sq km
coastline: 7,600 km
permanent crops: 8.4%

Climate:
temperate, warm, dry; mountain weather in north

Government: Republic

Population: 61,482,297

Exchange Rate (annual, averaged):
EUR = 1.32

Key Industry Role:
exporter of copper, fruit

GDP by sector (2012 est.):
agriculture: 2.3%
industry: 23.6%
services: 74.0%

Labor (2013 est.):
agriculture: 4.1%
unemployment: 11.0%

Transportation:
Roads: 487,700 km
Rails: 20,255 km
Waterways: 2,400 km

Ports:
Augusta, Cagliari, Genoa, Livorno, Taranto, Trieste, Venice

Agriculture:
fruits, vegetables, grapes, olives, beets