Export figures for the first half of 2026 confirm the effectiveness of the Export Plan

In the first half of 2026, Italy's exports increased - compared with the same period in 2025 - in value (+4.5 per cent) and in volume (+0.7 per cent), reaching EUR 337.2 billion. Exports rose significantly to both European Union markets (+4.6 per cent) and non-EU countries (+4.4 per cent).

The figures were particularly positive for two countries at the heart of the Action Plan for exports to high-potential non-EU markets, such as China (+19 per cent), where in April Minister Tajani led a mission with stops in Beijing and Shanghai to revitalise bilateral political and economic dialogue, and India (+4.2 per cent), with which three major trade partnership events have been organised over the past year and a half, involving hundreds of Italian companies.

Of particular note are the results achieved with Germany (+1.8 per cent) and France (+3.8 per cent) - respectively the first and third most important markets for Italian exports - to which the Italy - Germany Business Forum, held on 23 January in Rome, and the France-Italy Business Forum, attended by Ministers Tajani and Barrot, on 25 June 2026 in Le Cannet.

The United States is also in positive territory - despite the tariffs - up 2 per cent. It is a priority market, and significant resources are being channelled there to support businesses, such as SIMEST 'USA Measure' under its subsidised finance scheme (EUR 200 million).

Since the start of the year, the Facilitation Committee, chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has met eight times and has approved 2,192 concessional loans, drawn from the resources of the Fund 394/81, totalling EUR 1.15 billion. Compared with the same period in 2025, the figures show an increase of +64 per cent in the number of transactions approved and +112 per cent in funding volumes. With regard to export support under Fund 295/73, since January 2026, 59 transactions have been approved, representing a total value of supported contracts of approximately EUR 4.9 billion, an increase of 7 per cent in terms of the number of approvals and 15 per cent in terms of volume.

The commitment to 'Made in Italy' and to businesses expanding into international markets remains a priority. In the first few months of this year, dozens of initiatives have already been carried out, including the recent Business Forums with Japan, the Republic of Korea and Norway, as well as meetings with Kenya, Germany, Finland and China - partners of particular importance for the development of Italy's presence in the most innovative and strategic sectors. From September, new trade missions and economic forums are planned, starting with Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, the Netherlands, Canada and Turkey; whilst on 6 October, all businesses in central Italy will be invited to the 'Export Objective' conference, to learn about the tools and opportunities made available by the 'Sistema Paese' to boost internationalisation.