Sardinian exports continue to grow , confirming the positive trend that already emerged in the first part of 2024. According to the latest Istat data , in the first nine months of the year just ended there was an increase of +9.6% compared to the same period in 2023. Excluding oil exports, growth reaches +33%. The overall value of Sardinian exports went from 4.9 billion to 5.4 billion euros, with an increase of more than 460 million euros.
If the second half of the year confirms these trends, 2024 could close with a balance sheet exceeding 8 billion euros, approaching the record of 8.9 billion recorded in 2022. This is what emerges from a dossier by the Cna Sardegna Study Center which - while highlighting significant growth in Sardinian exports - raises the alarm for Sardinian agri-food exports, put at risk by the protectionist policies announced by the re-elected US President Donald Trump . In 2024, the US market absorbed over 52% of sales of Sardinian agri-food products and the still poor diversification of outlet markets could penalize Sardinian companies significantly. Among the main drivers of Sardinian exports is agri-food (+9.6%), which is preparing to close the year with a new increase, continuing the positive trend that has lasted for six years. The chemical-pharmaceutical sector showed a notable recovery (+67%), the growth of the metalworking sector is impressive.
On the contrary, there were declines in sales of wood, paper and printing products (-8.5%) and non-metallic minerals (-11.9%). In the agri-food sector, the dairy sector slowed down during the summer quarter, while the wine and pasta sectors emerged strongly, as well as, once again, the oil sector , which has already surpassed the 2023 sales record. Sardinia is the sixth Italian region for exposure to the US market, with over 14% of the foreign turnover recorded by island producers in 2024 (the national average is 10.9%): approximately 118 million euros, which, projected on a base, reach 163 million euros. «The future scenario is looming with the risk of a trade escalation between Donald Trump's United States and China, which could also involve European production - comment Luigi Tomasi and Francesco Porcu, respectively president and regional secretary of Cna Sardegna». Sardinia is the sixth Italian region for exposure to the US market and the most exposed sector is the agri-food sector. The risk is that, with the increase in duties, Sardinian producers could be penalized, with the risk of suffering serious economic damage.
