The dynamics of foreign trade in the Tuscan agri-food sector in 2022

As with the rest of the economy, the dynamics of agri-food trade were first affected by the conflict in Ukraine, which had a significant impact on the cereal market, and then by the increase in energy prices, which triggered a worrying inflationary process, pushing up the prices of some essential inputs and, consequently, business costs. On the other hand, the increase in prices also made it possible to offset the real decline in foreign sales.

Rising costs and unfavorable weather conditions in 2022 affected agricultural exports, which in Tuscany, contrary to the national trend, declined compared to 2021. In particular, the decline was due to lower flows to the European Union and the United Kingdom. On the contrary, foreign sales of food and beverages increased.

As usual, in this note we will summarize the main trends in 2022 for exports and imports of agri-food products and beverages, and we will conclude with a look at the first few months of 2023. (…)