Browse Data and Analysis

In January 2017, hemp cultivation became legal pursuant to Italian law No. 242/2016 promoting hemp cultivation and its industrial uses, leading to a sector revival, with more than 800 farms cultivating 4,000 hectares (ha).

Sugar production and exports are projected slightly up in marketing year (MY) 2024 (October 2023 to September 2024) because of the increase in productivity yields, harvested area, and additional investments made in the sugar sector and increased exports, as the Honduran Sugar Industry fully recovers from the rainy season in November 2022.

According to the latest data released by the National Association of the Canned Vegetables Industry (Anicav), Italy is the third largest processed tomato producer in the world (behind the United States and China), representing approximately 14.8 percent of the global production and 56.5 percent of Europe’s production, with revenue of nearly $5.4 billion in 2022.

Honduras is the 24th largest market for U.S. agricultural exports, and the third largest market under the Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which entered into force for Honduras in 2006.

The Italian food-processing industry continues to be highly fragmented, characterized by growing consolidation of smaller companies.