Leading destination countries for exports of pharmaceutical products Italy 2017-2019

In 2019, Germany and the United States were the main destination countries for Italy’s exports of basic pharmaceutical products. According to the data provided by Prometeia, the value of basic pharmaceutical products exported from Italy to Germany increased from 342 million euros in 2017 to 470 million euros in 2019. During the same period, the value of basic pharmaceuticals exported to the United States slightly decreased. Also, the United States were among the leading suppliers of basic pharmaceutical products for Italy together with Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg.  

The role of Asia and NAFTA as suppliers of basic pharmaceuticals for Italy

A glance at the broader picture shows that in 2018, Western Europe, Asia and the NAFTA region were the areas from which Italy imported the largest shares of basic pharmaceutical products. More specifically, in that year, Western Europe, Asia and the NAFTA countries accounted for 67.7 percent, 16.5 percent and 14.6 percent of the value of basic pharmaceutical products imported into Italy, respectively. A comparison between 2018 and 2013, reveals that, although Western Europe was the main supplier during both years, its share considerably decreased over time. On the contrary, the share owned by Asia and NAFTA – even though less relevant – almost doubled between 2013 and 2018.  

Western Europe accounts for over half of Italy’s exports of basic pharmaceuticals

Pertaining to Italian exports of basic pharmaceuticals, Western Europe not only kept its leading position as main destination, but it also experienced an increase. In detail, the share of exports of basic pharmaceutical products exported from Italy to Western Europe grew from 57.8 percent in 2013 to 51.9 percent in 2018.