According to Istat data, agricultural production fell by 1.8% in real terms compared to 2022, while added value recorded a more marked decline of 2.5%. Among the main causes of this negative performance are adverse weather conditions. Phenomena such as heat waves, droughts and extreme weather events have compromised many crops, leading to significant reductions in production volumes, particularly for wine (-17.4%) and fruit (-11.2%). These events have highlighted two central challenges for the sector: maintaining production continuity and adapting to climate changes that are transforming traditional agricultural cycles.
The economic weight of Italian agriculture in the European Union
From an economic point of view, the Italian agricultural sector generated an added value of 38.2 billion euros, ranking second in the EU, after France, with 39.2 billion euros. This result underlines the crucial role of Italian agriculture, especially thanks to the quality and diversification of its production. Agri-food exports continue to represent a strong point for the sector, driven by international demand for excellent products such as wine, extra virgin olive oil and PDO cheeses.
Employment trends: lights and shadows
Despite the economic weight of the sector, agricultural employment recorded a decline in 2023. Work units, which measure the overall work contribution, decreased by 2.4% compared to the previous year. Dependent work suffered a slight decrease of 0.3%, while self-employment showed a more significant contraction, equal to 3.5%. This trend reflects the structural difficulties that affect especially small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises, often unable to sustain operating costs in an uncertain economic context.
Irregular work and exploitation: a challenge still open
A chronic problem affecting the agricultural sector is irregular work, which involves approximately 200,000 workers, or 30% of the total workforce. This situation particularly penalizes the most vulnerable groups, such as migrants and women, who are often victims of exploitation and precarious working conditions. Fighting undeclared work and promoting policies for the regularization of personnel are crucial priorities for improving the social sustainability of the sector.
Innovation and modernization: signs of change
Despite the critical issues, 2023 has seen signs of innovation and adaptation. Many agricultural companies have invested in digitalization and automation, adopting advanced technologies such as precision agriculture, sensors for crop monitoring, and drones to optimize land management. These investments, supported in part by funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), aim to modernize the sector, making it more competitive and sustainable from both a production and environmental point of view.
Public policies to support the sector
To address climate and economic challenges, the Italian government is developing a support plan for agricultural businesses. The proposed measures include tax incentives for the purchase of innovative machinery, subsidized financing for agricultural start-ups, and training programs to promote a transition to more sustainable production models.
In conclusion, despite the challenges, Italian agriculture shows signs of resilience and innovation, confirming its strategic importance and opening new perspectives for the future.
