Below is a list showcasing 15 of Italy’s top trading partners, countries that imported the most Italian shipments by dollar value during 2016. Also shown is each import country’s percentage of total Italian exports.

1. Germany: US$58.1 billion (12.6% of total Italian exports)
2. France: $48.3 billion (10.5%)
3. United States: $40.7 billion (8.8%)
4. United Kingdom: $24.7 billion (5.3%)
5. Spain: $23.1 billion (5%)
6. Switzerland: $21.1 billion (4.6%)
7. Belgium: $14.8 billion (3.2%)
8. Poland: $12.4 billion (2.7%)
9. China: $12.2 billion (2.6%)
10. Netherlands: $10.7 billion (2.3%)
11. Turkey: $10.5 billion (2.3%)
12. Austria: $9.7 billion (2.1%)
13. Russia: $7.4 billion (1.6%)
14. Romania: $7.3 billion (1.6%)
15. Japan: $6.7 billion (1.4%)

Two-thirds (66.7%) of Italian exports in 2016 were delivered to the above 15 trade partners.

Among these top import purchasers, America showed the greatest appetite for Italian products in 2016 given its 71.3% gain from 2009.

The value of Turkish imports from Italy improved by 35.5% over the same period, followed by the Belgium’s 34.4% appreciation and China’s 32.7% increase in demand.

In contrast, Italian export sales to Russia dipped -17.1%. Russia was the only decliner among the listed top importers.

As defined by Investopedia, a country whose total value of all imported goods is higher than its value of all exports is said to have a negative trade balance or deficit.

It would be unrealistic for any exporting nation to expect across-the-board positive trade balances with all its importing partners. Similarly, that export country doesn’t necessarily post a negative trade balance with each individual partner with which it exchanges exports and imports.

Italy incurred the highest trade deficits with the following countries:

1. China: -US$17.9 billion (country-specific trade deficit in 2016)
2. Netherlands: -$11.6 billion
3. Germany: -$7.7 billion
4. Belgium: -$4.7 billion
5. Russia: -$4.3 billion
6. Azerbaijan: -$2.9 billion
7. Iraq: -$2.6 billion
8. Vietnam: -$2.1 billion
9. Ireland: -$1.8 billion
10. Czech Republic: -$1.2 billion

Among Italy’s trading partners that cause the greatest negative trade balances, Italian deficits with Vietnam (up 592.6%), Czech Republic (up 118.8%) and China (up 1.3%) were the only three to expand from 2009 to 2016.

Italian trade deficits with all other top import partners narrowed led by Germany (down -57%), Russia (down -45.7%) and Ireland (down -42.1%).

These cashflow deficiencies clearly indicate Italy’s competitive disadvantages with the above countries, but also represent key opportunities for Italy to develop country-specific strategies to strengthen its overall position in international trade.

Based on Investopedia’s definition of net importer, a country whose total value of all imported goods is lower than its value of all exports is said to have a positive trade balance or surplus. Overall, Italy posted a $57-billion trade surplus in 2016 reversing an -$8.3-billion deficit in 2009.

Italy incurred the highest trade surpluses with the following countries:

1. United States: US$25.4 billion (country-specific trade surplus in 2016)
2. United Kingdom: $12.5 billion
3. France: $12.4 billion
4. Switzerland: $9.3 billion
5. Hong Kong: $6.1 billion
6. United Arab Emirates: $4.9 billion
7. Australia: $3.4 billion
8. Mexico: $2.9 billion
9. Poland: $2.7 billion
10. Canada: $2.5 billion

Among Italy’s trading partners that cause the greatest positive trade balances, Italian surpluses with the United States (up 139.5%), Switzerland (up 115.9%) and Canada (up 98.9%) grew at the fastest pace from 2009 to 2016.

These positive cashflow streams clearly indicate Italy’s competitive advantages with the above countries, but also represent key opportunities for Italy to develop country-specific strategies to optimize its overall position in international trade.

Companies Servicing Italian Import Partners

Thirty corporations rank among Forbes Global 2000 for 2015. Below is a sample of the major Italian companies that Forbes included:

• Eni (oil, gas)
• Telecom Italia (telecommunications services)
• Finmeccanica (aerospace)
• Prada (clothing, accessories)
• Pirelli & C (automotive parts)
• Saras (oil, gas)
• Parmalat (food processing)
• Prysmian (electrical equipment)

Based on Wikipedia’s list of Italian companies, the following are also examples of established firms that ship products from Italy to its import partners around the globe. Shown within parenthesis is the product category that the Italian business specializes in.

• Alfa Romeo Automobiles SpA (luxury vehicles)
• Campagnolo (bicycle components)
• Eko (guitars)
• Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta (firearms)
• Ferrari SpA (sports cars)
• Ferrero SpA (chocolate confectionery)
• Forst (brewery)
• Luigi Lavazza SpA (whole bean coffee)
• Olivetti SpA (consumer electronics)