891 certified products and 20 billion in value.
There's a record Italians can be incredibly proud of, and one that's renewed every day on tables around the world: Italy is the leading European country in terms of the number of certified PDO and PGI agri-food products. This is no small feat: we're talking about 891 official recognitions, ahead of France (774) and Spain (394). This achievement isn't a coincidence, but the fruit of centuries of tradition, care for the land, and a passion for quality.
The data were presented this week at Tuttofood 2026, the major international food and beverage fair taking place at Fiera Milano Rho from May 11th to 14th, where Italy's excellent DOP and IGP products take center stage.
A system worth 20 billion euros
Italy's leadership isn't just a matter of numbers. Behind those 891 certified products lies an extraordinarily robust economic system: 20,7 billion euros of overall value, with exports exceeding 12,3 billionThese figures make Italian agri-food one of the most important sectors of the national economy, capable of sustaining—and growing—even in an increasingly competitive international context.
Geographical Indications, as a whole, generate a higher value in Europe than 80 billion eurosAnd Italy is the main driving force.
From Parmigiano to Prosecco: a unique heritage in the world
What lies behind these numbers? Stories of territories, families, artisans, and producers who have preserved ancient knowledge for generations and passed it on with pride. Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, Pecorino Romano and Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (red wines), the Mozzarella di Bufala Campana and Prosecco from Conegliano Valdobbiadene: these are just some of the 891 products that bear the Italian brand in the world.
Every DOP and every IGP is a story of local identity transformed into global excellence. It's a way of saying that certain flavors, aromas, and textures can't be imitated—or at least, they can't be called by the same name.
Lombardy leads, but all of Italy contributes
Within this scenario, Lombardy confirms itself as the first Italian agricultural region, with a contribution of 2,9 billion euros Driven primarily by the dairy sector. But the beauty of Italy's leadership is precisely this: it's a distributed leadership, originating in Sicily and extending to the Alps, uniting North and South in a single, grand narrative of quality and territory.
A brand that the world envies us
Geographical Indications aren't just a stamp on a label; they protect products, create value, protect producers from imitations, and provide guarantees to consumers around the world.
In an era when the famous “Italian sounding”—the practice of evoking Italy on products that are not Italian—costs the national economy billions of euros every year. The PDO and PGI system is the most effective response: legal, European, unequivocal recognition.
Italy is first. And in this case, being so really makes a difference.
