Italian Soft Wheat Flour Exports Surge to New Heights in First Half of 2026
Italian soft wheat flour exports surged in the first half of 2026, increasing by 14.83% to 202,654 tonnes compared to the same period in 2025. The Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat) and the Italian Association of Millers (ITALMOPA) report that 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.
The growth in exports follows a strong performance in 2025, when Italy exported approximately 362,000 tonnes of soft wheat flour, representing a 10% increase from 2024. ITALMOPA attributes the continued export momentum to several factors, including advanced milling technologies and the ability of Italian millers to produce flours tailored to specific applications.
The association notes that these capabilities have helped Italian flour gain ground in premium international segments, particularly pizzerias, artisan baking, and high-end pastry production. 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.