Italy is one of the UK’s closest trading partners and biggest export markets, and presents significant opportunities for UK businesses. There is demand for defence, cyber security, aerospace and engineering skills. Trade with the city of Milan and the surrounding region is especially strong.
Italy was the 11th largest export market for Northern Ireland (1.3% of Northern Ireland exports) and the 6th largest import market for Northern Ireland (3.6% of Northern Ireland imports) for goods in 2024.
The top ten exports from Northern Ireland to Italy in 2024 were
- Machinery & transport equipment (£51.0m)
- Food & live animals (£39.0m)
- Chemicals & related products (£23.5m)
- Miscellaneous manufactured articles (£10.0m)
- Beverages & tobacco (£8.6m)
- Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material (£7.8m)
- Crude materials (£3.8m)
- Mineral fuels (£55k)
- Commodities/transactions not classified elsewhere in the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) (£7k)
- Animal & vegetable oils (£0k)
This guide highlights the advantages and challenges of exporting to Italy, the benefits of dual market access, the sectoral opportunities in Italy and the support available for exporting to Italy.
