The Italian dairy sector closes 2025 with positive results on the international front, confirming its resilience in an increasingly complex global scenario.

Despite geopolitical tensions, market instability, and new trade barriers, exports reached 680,000 tons, valued at €6.1 billion, growing both in volume (+4.6%) and value (+12.8%) compared to 2024. This result reinforces Italy’s leadership as the top European exporter, surpassing Germany, and confirms the global appeal of Made in Italy cheeses, increasingly associated with quality, gastronomic culture, and premium positioning.

While the major DOP cheeses continue to represent a cornerstone of exports, fresh cheeses are driving the most interesting growth dynamics: Mozzarella exceeds €1 billion in exports (+8.1%), while specialties such as Burrata show strong increases (€607 million, +17.2%).

Established markets, but rising uncertainty

Exports remain strongly anchored to European markets, led by France (€1.2 billion, +14.4%), followed by Germany (€901 million, +11.3%), the United States (€527 million, -8.5%), and the United Kingdom (€423 million, +16.6%).

However, geopolitical challenges in the Middle East are introducing new risks, with direct consequences on sales. The impact is not limited to trade dynamics but also affects operational aspects: rising energy costs, logistical delays, and tensions along international routes are making export management more complex, especially for fresh and highly perishable products that require strict transport times and conditions. This forces companies to redefine their export strategies.

In this context, Caseificio Ignalat faces a growing yet challenging market. International demand increasingly rewards products such as Burrata and Mozzarella, but their perishability requires extremely careful management of logistics and the cold chain.

As Vincenzo Ignazzi, the company’s Export Manager, points out, today it is no longer enough to offer a quality product: continuity, reliability, and planning have become decisive factors for competing in foreign markets.

Trends driving 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, the growth of Italian dairy will increasingly depend on the ability to interpret new consumption models and align offerings with international market logic.

Recent data show that the value of Made in Italy retains strong global appeal and will continue to represent a resource for distributors, retail groups, and operators in the ho.re.ca and food service channels.

Among the main drivers shaping assortments, consumption choices, and gastronomic menus in the upcoming year are:

1) Convenient and single-serve formats

The rise of out-of-home consumption and new lifestyles is pushing demand for practical, easy-to-use formats. Single-serve portions meet the need for speed, waste reduction, and optimized service times, becoming increasingly central in food service as well. In this direction, Ignalat develops the most requested products in reduced formats to preserve their characteristics and facilitate their use in the kitchen.

2) Creamy and spreadable cheeses

Spreadable cheeses and creamy specialties are gaining ground due to their versatility for both domestic and professional use. These products are no longer consumed only directly but serve as ingredients for various culinary applications (as bases for preparations, toppings, or culinary reinterpretations). Stracciatella, in particular, stands out as a strategic product for its freshness and adaptability, making it suitable for everyday consumption and food service alike.

3) Distinctive flavors

Alongside fresh cheeses, there is growing demand for sensory depth and products with strong aromatic profiles. Flavored, aged, smoked, and ripened cheeses offer gourmet taste experiences and new culinary experimentation. Ignalat intercepts this trend with a range of flavored Burrata, Caciotte with olives and chili, and naturally smoked and aged cheeses.

4) Wellness, digestibility, and lactose-free options

Health-oriented choices increasingly drive purchasing decisions. There is a growing interest in light, balanced, easily digestible, and lactose-free products that expand the consumer base and make cheeses accessible even to those with intolerances. For companies like Ignalat, integrating lactose-free cheeses in their catalog allows them to meet evolving market needs and new dietary sensitivities.

5) Emphasis on origin

Markets are increasingly rewarding products that convey a strong identity linked to territories, cultures, and production traditions. Authenticity defines the experiential aspect of cheese consumption. Caseificio Ignalat enhances this connection to origin through the production of local artisanal cheeses, strengthening the perception of uniqueness and excellence in international markets.

6) Sustainability and transparency

International demand calls for transparent supply chains, with attention to animal welfare and environmental impact reduction. The focus on quality and traceability of raw materials (milk sourced exclusively from local farms) is complemented by concrete local investments, such as the expansion of Ignalat’s production facility, with projects targeting energy efficiency, water reuse, and photovoltaic systems, within a framework of responsible development.

If 2025 confirmed the sector’s strength, the future of Italian dairy will depend on a shift in perspective: it will not be enough to grow in volume or turnover; companies must build lasting value through their capacity to adapt and innovate, enabling them to navigate an increasingly delicate, complex, and competitive market while consolidating their international presence.