Italian soft wheat flour exports rise 14.8% as US demand accelerates
This growth pushes year-end projections toward the 400,000-ton mark, according to ITALMOPA, the Italian Association of Industrial Millers.
ITALY – Italian exports of soft wheat flour continued their strong expansion in the first half of 2026, reaching 202,654 tonnes, an increase of 14.83% compared with the same period in 2025, according to data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat) cited by the Italian Association of Millers (ITALMOPA).
The latest performance puts Italy’s soft wheat flour exports on course to approach 400,000 tonnes for the full year.
The United States has emerged as the leading destination for Italian soft wheat flour, with purchases up 38.42% in the first half of 2026.
As a result, the US has overtaken major European destinations, with shipments to Spain up 23.1%, Germany up 11.11%, and France up 9.22% over the same period. The figures point to expanding demand for Italian flour beyond its traditional European markets.
The growth follows a strong performance in 2025, when Italy exported approximately 362,000 tonnes of soft wheat flour, representing a 10% increase from 2024. Exports of durum wheat semolina also expanded during the year, reaching approximately 142,000 tonnes, up nearly 8% compared with the previous year.
ITALMOPA attributes the continued export momentum to several factors, including the selection and blending of wheat from different origins, advanced milling technologies and the ability of Italian millers to produce flours tailored to specific applications.
The association said these capabilities have helped Italian flour gain ground in premium international segments, particularly pizzerias, artisan baking and high-end pastry production.
The international popularity of Italian-style food products also supports the expansion. Flour used for pizza, bread, and pastry is increasingly marketed as a specialist ingredient that delivers the functional characteristics professional food producers require.
This has created opportunities for Italian mills to compete in value-added segments rather than solely on commodity volumes.
Italy’s export growth also reflects the broader internationalization of its milling industry. France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States were among the principal destinations for Italian soft wheat flour exports in 2025, while markets for durum wheat semolina included Saudi Arabia, Germany, France and Belgium.
With first-half shipments already exceeding 200,000 tonnes, the Italian milling sector is entering the second half of 2026 with export demand still expanding.
If the current pace is maintained, annual shipments could reach around 400,000 tonnes, further strengthening Italy’s position as a supplier of premium soft wheat flour to international bakery and foodservice markets.
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