Italy–China Trade by Region 2025

According to ISTAT, Italy’s goods exchange with China in 2025 reached EUR 74.9 billion (11.2 per cent increase compared to 2024), consisting of EUR 60.6 billion in imports (16.4 per cent rise) and EUR 14.3 billion in exports (6.6 per cent decline from 2024).

The territorial breakdown of Italian exports indicates a 6.4 per cent drop in the North-West, as per the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Similarly, the South and Islands recorded a 6.6 per cent export decline in 2025.

The North-East region exports to China have decreased by 13.5 per cent over the year.

The Central regions exports reached a 6.0 per cent growth over the same period.

The breakdown by Chinese provinces as disclosed by the General Administration of Customs of China confirms that trade between Italy and China remains shaped by regional dynamics.

Regarding total trade with Italy, the highest performing province was Shanghai (USD 15.2 billion), followed by Guangdong (USD 13.9 billion), Zhejiang (USD 12.7 billion), Jiangsu (USD 9.8 billion) and Shandong (USD 3.9 billion).

In terms of exports, the flows were led by Guangdong (USD 11 billion), Zhejiang (USD 10.9 billion), Jiangsu (USD 7.5 billion), Shanghai (USD 5 billion) and Shandong (USD 3.2 billion).

Imports flows were mainly driven by Shanghai (USD 10.2 billion), Beijing (USD 3.3 billion), Guangdong (USD 2.9 billion), Jiangsu (USD 2.3 billion) and Zhejiang (USD 1.7 billion).

According to the Italian Trade Agency, the leading sector for Italian exports to China was Machinery and Equipment, which reached EUR 3.6 billion, accounting for 23.3 per cent of total exports. Clothing items followed with EUR 2.1 billion. Other key sectors included Chemicals at EUR 1.2 billion and pharmaceutical products at EUR 923 billion, the latter experiencing a significant contraction of 79.1 per cent.

Meanwhile, Italian imports from China were dominated by Chemicals, which totalled EUR 8.4 billion (16.9 per cent share) following a substantial 44 per cent surge. This was followed by Computers and electronic and optical products at EUR 7.5 billion (15.1 per cent). Furthermore, Italy imported EUR 5.8 billion in Machinery and Equipment, and EUR 5.8 billion in Electrical equipment.