According to the latest statistic data available (April 2017) from the “U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census” for the first quarter of 2017, we note that Italy is the 7^th trade partner for Food & Beverage imports in the US. In this first quarter, the sector increased by 3.9% compared to the first quarter of 2016.  Italian exports declined slightly by 1,1% compared to the first quarter of 2016.

We also note that Canada, Mexico, China and France reacted positively to the market growth. France achieved an increase of 6.4% compared to its Q1 exports in 2016. On the other hand, Italy and Chile showed a slightly negative trend in  this 1^st quarter.

BEVERAGES

Product: Wine
General View: Increase
Position: 1^st

In the wine imports, Italy obtained 31.3% of the market share for the 1^st quarter of the year showing a slight increase in exports of 0.4% compared to the 1^st quarter of 2016, remaining the 1^st player on the market.

France remains the 2^nd biggest importer of wines in the US with a market share of 29.2% and a growth of 15.4% compared to the same quarter in 2016.

Italy and France are the leaders on the wine sector since the third biggest importer, New Zealand, has only 7.3% of the market.

Product: Beer
General View: Slight Increase
Position: 8^th

For this 1^st quarter, the market share remains stable at 0.4% for Italian beer in the US. The numbers are good, showing a positive trend of 22.6% for the 1^st quarter of 2017 compared to the same quarter for 2016.

FOOD

Product: Cheese
General View: Decline
Position: 1^st

With the US market shrinking by 16.5% in this 1^st quarter, Italian cheese exports show a negative trend of 21.9% compared to the first quarter of 2016. The market share for Italy is 23.6% which is double France’s 12.9%.

Note: The average selling price for Italian cheese is 20% higher than its strongest competitor, France.

Product: Olive Oil
General View: Decline
Position: 2^nd

The market share in value that Italy has for this 1^st quarter of 2017 is 37.9% with a negative trend of 7% compared to the 1^st quarter of 2016. Italy loses its 1^st place and ranks 2^nd with Spain being the leader with a market share of 43.7%. Based on the TAB. 10c and 10d, Italy lost a small share on the Extra Virgin Olive oil. Italy is selling 4.5 US$/ton and Spain 3,9 US$/ton (US$ in millions). The price change is as follows: Italy increased its olive oil price by 6.1% for the 1^st quarter of 2017 compared to 2016 and Spain accordingly increased its price by 3,1%, with the average global price for the US olive oil price raising by 4,6% for the same period.The decline in imports of olive oil from Italy are due to the fact that this year there was a low production in Italy, 58 % less than last year, and a very high production in Spain.

Turkey closes its 1^st quarter with a noticeable performance by achieving a positive trend of 431.1% compared to the same period in 2016 and ranks 5^th in the imports of olive oil in the US market with a market share of 0.3%.

Product: Water
General View: Stable
Position: 2^nd

With negative trend of 1%, Italy ranks second for this quarter of the year with a market share of 28.4%. Fiji achieved the best performance by increasing its exports to USA by 51.2%, and having the 22.8% of the market share and consequently ranking 3^rd. France did just slightly better than Italy and ranks 1^st with a market share of 28.6% with a positive trend of 29.3%.

Product: Processed meat
General View: Increase
Position: 5^th

Italy ranks 5^th with a market share of 5.2% for this 1^st quarter of the year. The exports of processed meats increased by 5.2% compared to the same quarter in 2016. Uruguay ranks 4^th with a negative trend of 20% compared to the same quarter in 2016.

Product: Coffee
General View: Stable
Position: 16^th
Italy remains stable in the exports of coffee in the US with an increase of exports by 5.3% for this 1^st quarter and 0.5% of the market share.

Product: Rice
General View: Stable
Position: 6^th

Rice exports followed last year’s trend for this first quarter with Italy having the 1.4% market share. The overall imports of rice in the US decreased by 8.8% compared to the same period in 2016.

Product: Gelato
General View: Increase
Position: 4^th

Gelato followed last year’s trend with an increase of 55.7%.  Italy’s market share is 7.8%.

Product: Truffle
General View: Stable
Position: 2^nd

Italy ranks 2^nd for market share even if,  compared to last year’s quarter, Italy increased its exports by 23.8%. Spain ranks 1^st for this quarter by achieving exports equal to those of the whole 2016 already in the first quarter.

Product: Caviar
General View: Increase
Position: 2^nd

A stable increase in exports of caviar in the US market with Italy ranking 2^nd  in the 1^st quarter of 2017 with a market share of 12%. The positive performance still remains high with 30.6% compared to the same period in 2016. Chinaremains in first trade partner of USA with a market share of 45.1%.

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