Key Sectors for Italian Growth in the Chinese Market

By analysing consumption trends, trade categories, and China’s economic development policies — in particular the 14th Five-Year Plan — we can identify three main sectors with strong growth potential for Italy:

Fashion and Apparel:

The Chinese luxury market surpassed USD 60 billion in 2024, with increasingly sophisticated consumers. The well-established presence of Italian brands is a competitive advantage to be further strengthened. Apparel alone, worth EUR 4 billion in 2024, accounts for 26 per cent of Italy’s exports to China.

Machinery and Innovation:

The modernisation of China’s industrial landscape is creating concrete opportunities for specialized machinery, automation, and solutions supporting the energy transition. In 2024, Italy exported machinery worth EUR 3.5 billion, representing 23 per cent of total exports.

Agri-food Products:

China is already the fastest-growing economy for agri-food products, and Italian goods are positioned in the premium segment of the market. Despite a decline in Italian wine exports in 2024, prospects for the sector in 2025 remain positive.

Finally, let’s not forget green technologies: from energy efficiency and renewable energy to industrial waste management, Chinese demand is set to grow as the country pursues its carbon neutrality goals for 2060.