Italian Food & Beverage continues to hold a significant position in the British market. Despite Brexit, rising costs, new logistical complexities and more price-conscious consumers, Made in Italy agri-food products remain among the most recognisable and competitive offerings in the United Kingdom.
Key data
- Record Italian agri-food exports: according to Coldiretti based on Istat data, in 2025 Made in Italy agri-food exports reached almost €73 billion, growing by 5% compared with the previous year.
- The UK among the main markets: Great Britain is confirmed as the fourth-largest destination market for Italian agri-food products, worth around €4.9 billion, again according to the Coldiretti analysis based on Istat data.
- Italy among the UK’s leading suppliers: according to the Food & Drink Federation Trade Snapshot 2025, Italy is one of the United Kingdom’s leading food & drink supplier countries, with a value of around £4.2 billion and growth of 6.0% compared with the previous year.
- The UK market remains highly open to imports: according to DEFRA / GOV.UK, in 2025 British imports of Food, Feed and Drink reached £67.8 billion, with growth of 6% compared with 2024 at current prices.
What these figures mean
The data confirms that the United Kingdom remains one of the most important markets for Italian Food & Beverage. Made in Italy continues to be associated with quality, taste, tradition, origin and gastronomic culture, especially in categories such as:
- pasta
- preserved foods
- bakery products
- oil
- wine
- cheeses
- food service ingredients
- regional specialities
However, the British market has become more selective. Italian identity remains an advantage, but it is no longer enough on its own: buyers, distributors and retailers are looking for reliable products that are well positioned and supported by solid commercial and operational management.
The main challenges
- Price and margins: British consumers are more focused on value for money.
- Positioning: an Italian product must clearly communicate why it deserves space on the shelf or in the food service channel.
- Supply continuity: retailers and distributors are looking for partners able to guarantee availability, reliable lead times and efficient management.
- Compliance and documentation: in the post-Brexit environment, labelling, customs requirements, checks and traceability have become decisive factors.
- International competition: the UK market remains attractive, but it is increasingly served by both European and non-European suppliers.
The 2025/2026 picture is clear: Italian Food & Beverage in the United Kingdom remains strong, recognised and competitive, but it operates in a more demanding market.
For Italian companies, the opportunity is not just to export to the United Kingdom, but to build a stable, credible and well-managed presence.
Venietiam operates precisely in this space: it supports Food & Beverage producers and operators who want to bring Italian products into the UK market with a structured, reliable and growth-oriented approach.
Sources consulted
Coldiretti, Made in Italy: record agri-food exports worth €73 billion
https://www.coldiretti.it/economia/made-in-italy-export-agroalimentare-da-record-con-73-miliardi
Food & Drink Federation, Trade Snapshot 2025
https://www.fdf.org.uk/fdf/resources/publications/trade-reports/fdf-trade-snapshot-2025/
Food & Drink Federation, Trade Snapshot 2025, PDF
https://www.fdf.org.uk/globalassets/resources/publications/reports/trade-reports/2025-trade-snapshot.pdf
DEFRA / GOV.UK, UK trade in Food, Feed and Drink, 2025 provisional
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-trade-in-food-feed-and-drink-2025-provisional/uk-trade-in-food-feed-and-drink-2025-provisional
Reuters, Higher British alcohol tariffs sap exports of Spanish red wine
https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/higher-british-alcohol-tariffs-sap-exports-spanish-red-wine-2025-06-24/