THE Chinese market has become increasingly important for a growing number of Italian industries in recent years, despite the global economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Italian media, China has become the largest foreign importer of Italian marble, concentrating almost half of international sales, as well as the world’s fastest-growing market for Italian cheese.

Italian furniture and agri-food exports to China increased 53 percent and 57.7 percent respectively in the first half of 2021, while industrial machinery still had the lion’s share of Italian exports to the Asian country, posting a 43.9-percent annual growth in the same period, according to a report published by the Italy-China Foundation in November.

Candido Mormile, an Italian wine businessman, confirmed the trend that Italian wine exports to China displayed a very strong performance in the last few years and business is still growing.

Chinese customs data also reflect such a trend, showing Italian exports to China kept growing in the first 11 months of 2021, reaching US$27.65 billion, a stunning 40 percent increase year on year.

According to Massimiliano Tremiterra, head of Italian Trade Agency office in Guangzhou, “the Chinese market is considered a market of primary importance for a country like Italy with a strong export orientation.”

According to a survey carried out in 2021 by the Italy-China Foundation on a sample of 180 Italian companies, almost 80 percent of Italian firms see China as a potential end market for their products as well as an “opportunity not to be missed.” (SD-Xinhua)