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Italian agricultural and food products and wines are rapidly catching up with their French counterparts in the global market. Pictured are products from Barilla, the world's largest pasta manufacturer with a 140-year history. / Lim Yu-jung, Paris correspondent

Italian agricultural and food products are gaining popularity in France, often regarded as the home of fine cuisine. With strong government support, Italy is expanding its agricultural and food exports and narrowing the gap with France in the market.

Local media outlet BFM Business reported on Oct. 25 (local time) that Italy is rapidly catching up with France in global agricultural and food exports, supported by government assistance and promotional activities linked to tourism.

According to figures released by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) based on data from the country's national statistics institute, Italy's agricultural and food and wine exports reached a record €70.9 billion (approximately 105.45 trillion won) last year, ranking eighth in the world in the sector.

Notably, exports grew 5% year-on-year despite the "tariff barrage" imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. France's exports totaled €84 billion (approximately 124.9365 trillion won) last year, up 2% from the previous year, placing the country fifth.

Italy's momentum was also evident at SIAL Paris, the world's largest food exhibition, recently held in Paris, France. At the 60-year-old exhibition, which takes place every two years, Italy once again had the largest number of participating companies of any country, repeating its achievement at the previous event.

Italy's rapid progress is also reflected in tangible achievements. Italian culinary culture, which emphasizes healthy ingredients, was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity last year in recognition of its values of sustainability and biodiversity.

Italian food is also gaining popularity in France, a country renowned for its cuisine. Italy has achieved annual exports worth €1 billion (approximately 1.4873 trillion won) in the French market from its cheeses alone, including burrata, mozzarella, Gorgonzola and Parmesan.

Italian agricultural and food exports to France grew 6% year-on-year last year, while the number of upscale Italian restaurants in the country is reportedly increasing.

Luigi Ferrelli, director of the Paris office of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), explained, "Even Italian wines, which are difficult to sell in France, are making their way into the market thanks to local restaurants."

The growing popularity of Italian food is driven in part by increasing interest in culinary tourism and extensive support from the Italian government.

Ferrelli said, "This year, the budget of the trade agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs increased by more than one-third compared with last year," adding, "The increased budget has made it possible to spend €300 million (approximately 444.8 billion won) on promotional activities, including setting up Italian pavilions at major international trade fairs."

Italy plans to commit substantial resources to once again surpass France, the traditional leader in the sector, at the Wine Paris exhibition scheduled for February next year.

According to the ITA, 200 companies, 60% more than this year, are expected to participate in the exhibition, stepping up efforts to popularize Italian wines.

                                                                                                               Lim Yu-jung