BRUSSELS, October 24, 2025: European Union countries produced 6.0 million tonnes of pasta in 2024, valued at €9.1 billion, according to new data released by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. The figures, published ahead of World Pasta Day on October 25, show that the overall value of pasta production rose by 3 percent from 2023, even as total output declined by 5 percent. Italy continued to dominate the EU pasta market, accounting for 69 percent of the total production volume.
The country produced 4.1 million tonnes of pasta, reinforcing its position as Europe’s leading pasta manufacturer. Spain was the second-largest producer with 367,000 tonnes, representing 6 percent of EU output, followed by Germany with 290,000 tonnes or about 5 percent. The data highlights the concentration of pasta production within a few key member states. The European Union exported 2.9 million tonnes of pasta in 2024 while importing 1.7 million tonnes.
Italy remained the largest exporter, shipping 2.2 million tonnes, equivalent to 77 percent of all EU pasta exports. Spain followed as the second-largest exporter with 131,000 tonnes, or 5 percent of the total. More than half of all EU pasta exports, about 55 percent, were destined for other member states, while 45 percent were exported to countries outside the bloc. The United Kingdom and the United States were the two main destinations outside the EU, receiving 25 percent and 23 percent of all extra-EU pasta exports respectively.
Italy maintains dominance in European pasta industry
The data underscores the significance of both intra-European and transatlantic trade in pasta products. On the import side, Germany was the largest pasta importer within the European Union. The country imported 468,000 tonnes in 2024, representing 28 percent of total EU pasta imports. France was the second-largest importer with 372,000 tonnes, or 22 percent of the total. The figures indicate that demand for pasta remains robust across the bloc’s major consumer markets despite variations in domestic production capacity.
The 2024 data also suggest that while production volumes declined, the overall value of pasta output increased, reflecting either higher prices or changes in product composition across the market. Eurostat’s report provides a comprehensive view of Europe’s pasta industry, a key segment of the continent’s agri-food economy. Italy’s leadership in both production and exports reinforces its long-standing global reputation as the principal hub for pasta manufacturing.
Eurostat confirms economic importance of pasta trade
Other EU producers, including Spain and Germany, remain important contributors to regional supply but continue to operate at smaller scales compared with Italian producers. Trade figures confirm the EU’s role as both a leading exporter and an active importer in the global pasta market, with strong demand from major consumer economies. According to Eurostat, pasta remains one of the most traded processed food products in the EU’s internal and external markets.
The report was released as part of the European Union’s regular statistical updates on agri-food industries to coincide with World Pasta Day, observed annually on October 25. The data underline the continued economic importance of pasta production and trade within the European Union, reflecting the bloc’s central role in the global pasta supply chain and its contribution to sustaining Europe’s food manufacturing sector, employment, and export competitiveness. – By EuroWire News Desk.