Britain still hungry for Italian food as exports hit €4.56bn despite Brexit

Food, drink and tobacco remain Italy’s biggest export category to Britain, accounting for almost 17 per cent of all Italian goods sold to the UK in 2025. Fresh figures show the trade continuing into 2026, despite a fall in overall exports

Britain’s appetite for Italian produce remains strong despite Brexit, with exports of food, drink and tobacco reaching €4.56 billion last year.

The products accounted for 16.9 per cent of all Italian goods exported to the UK in 2025, making them Italy’s largest export category to the British market.

Bilateral trade reached approximately €34.5 billion, with Italy exporting almost €27 billion worth of goods to Britain and importing €7.5 billion in return, leaving it with a trade surplus of nearly €19.5 billion.

Figures published by the Italian Embassy in London show that food, drink and tobacco remained Italy’s biggest export category to Britain during the first six months of 2026, generating almost €2.18 billion in sales.

However, overall Italian exports to the UK fell by 5.8 per cent during the same period, reaching €13.2 billion.

Italy remains Britain’s seventh-largest overseas supplier, highlighting the importance of the British market to Italian manufacturers and producers.

Italian produce also holds a substantial share of several British food markets. Italy supplies 54 per cent of the pasta imported into Britain by volume, more than 20 per cent of its imported wine and almost a quarter of its olive oil imports by value.

To strengthen trade links, the Italian government is promoting OpportunItaly, an export programme designed to connect international buyers with Italian producers.

Launched in May 2025, the initiative covers 10 major industries, including food and agriculture, across 20 international markets. It provides business introductions, market intelligence and support at international trade exhibitions.

Organisers say it has generated nearly 170,000 qualified leads worldwide and supported Italian businesses attending British trade exhibitions, including LAMMA in Birmingham and IFE in London.

Its Buyers Club also helps British businesses establish direct relationships with Italian manufacturers and suppliers, providing access to trade specialists, business meetings and international exhibitions.

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