Italian wine export in the first semester 2026, Veneto No.1, Piedmont grows, Tuscany follows

Italian wine exports, when the figures of all individual regions and territories across Italy are combined, reached 3.6 billion euros in value between January and June 2026, according to the latest Istat data analyzed by WineNews. Compared with the same period in 2025, this represents a -6.2% decline. However, it should be noted that the deficit has narrowed compared to the first quarter of 2026, improving from -8.2% to -6.2%. Exports from individual regions continue to move at different speeds. Veneto leads the ranking, home to Prosecco, Valpolicella wines, Soave, Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, and many others, with 1.3 billion euros in exports (-8.4%). It is followed by Piedmont, which continues its steady growth throughout 2026. Exports for the first half of the year rose to 566.9 million euros, driven by the region which gave birth to iconic wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Asti, Alta Langa, Gavi, and Asti. Piedmont improved its performance by +2.4% compared with the first half of 2025 and also showed a stronger trend than in the first quarter of 2026. As a result, Piedmont has widened its lead over Tuscany, which was Italy second-largest wine-exporting region in 2025. Tuscany completes the podium, renowned for red wine gems such as Chianti Classico and Bolgheri, Toscana IGT and Chianti, Maremma and Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, as well as Vernaccia di San Gimignano. The region recorded 543.6 million euros in exports, at -7.4% compared with the first half of 2025. Together, Veneto, Tuscany, and Piedmont generated 2.4 billion euros in wine export value during the semester, accounting for nearly 67% of Italy’s total wine shipments to international markets.
In NO. 4 position, there is South Tyrol/Südtirol, a region renowned for its outstanding white wines and Trentodoc sparkling wines, among others, with 265.6 million euros in exports (-12.2%). It is followed by Emilia-Romagna, another region that continues to grow compared with 2025, posting 205.3 million euros in exports (+5.6%). The region is famous for wines such as Lambrusco and Sangiovese di Romagna. Lombardy ranks No. 6, home to Franciacorta, Oltrepò Pavese, and other high-quality wines, with 152.5 million euros in exports (-7.1%). It is followed by Puglia, whose emblematic wines include Primitivo, and which achieved a positive performance with 121.6 million euros in exports (+6%). Exports also grew in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, reaching 121.4 million euros (+2.5%) compared with the first half of 2025. The region is renowned for the great white wines of Collio and for its Friulano grape, formerly known as “fù Tocai”, among many other notable wines. Meanwhile, Abruzzo, known for important wines such as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Trebbiano, and Cerasuolo, recorded 108.5 million euros in exports (-9.5%). Sicily closes the top ten with 78.5 million euros in exports (-5.9%). The island boasts many prestigious wine-growing areas, from the “diamond” of Mount Etna to Vittoria, from Menfi to Noto, and from Marsala to Pantelleria, all of which produce prestigious wines.