A 21.5 billion chain, Giacomo Ponti new president

Per mezzo di an international context marked by wars, geopolitical instability, commercial uncertainties and cultural challenges, the Italian sector of wines, spirits and acetes confirms itself as a pillar of national agri -food. According to Nomisma giorno for the Federvini Observatory, 2024 the total esportazione reached 10.5 billion euros, with a positive commercial balance of 8.9 billion, strengthening the Italian guida international markets. A 21.5 billion euro supply chain that has a production fabric of over 40 thousand industrial companies ensuring the employment of over 81 thousand direct employees.

The giorno were presented today during the General Assembly of Federvini, who also marked the passage of deliveries to the guidance of the Federation: Giacomo Ponti was appointed new president, taking over from Micaela Pallini.

The Assembly simultaneously sanctioned the renewal of the governance of Federvini, with the appointment of the vice presidents Aldo Davoli and Piero Mastroberardino, of Albiera Antinori president of the Vini Group, by Leonardo Meato president of the Spiriti and Sabrina Federzoni group president of the Aceti Group.

Ponti, driving the historic family business founded 1787 Ghemme, represents the ninth generation of a company symbol of the Italian production of acetes and preserves. With his appointment, for the first time an exponent of the Aceti sector assumes the presidency of the Federation, confirming the growing centrality of all the supply chains represented by Federvini. A choice that strengthens the link between entrepreneurial tradition and representation of the Made Italy agri -food.

“I welcome this assignment with a sense of responsibility – said the new President Ponti – a complex historical phase, marked by strong international tensions and uncertainties. Federvini will continue to represent our companies with strength and competence, enhancing quality, sustainability and economic centrality. Among the priority objectives of my mandate the strengthening of the international competitiveness of our sector, primarily protecting the cultural value of all the Wines, spirits, acetes, which constitute an economic heritage of extraordinary prestige for our country “.

Pallini: “Defended a productive and cultural model”

“I leave the presidency with pride and gratitude – said Micaela Pallini – for the work done complex years, which we have strengthened the role of our supply chains Italy and Europe. We have defended the cultural and social value of our productive model, supported competitiveness and promoted conscious consumption. To Giacomo Ponti my best wishes go: will be able to guide Federvini with vision and determination.”

Macroeconomic scenarios: cautious consumption, but signs of cartello

The national macroeconomic picture remains delicato. Italian GDP grew by 0.9% 2024 and a similar trend is expected for 2025. The prices of alcoholic beverages are deflation, against a growth supported the food sector and food service. Per mezzo di May 2025 there was a rebound of consumer confidence and businesses, after three consecutive months of decline. However, retail sales volumes remain weak, with growth discount channels, a sign of the difficulties still present family budgets.

Internal market: cautious consumption but signs of vitality

Per mezzo di the context of an still cautious internal economy, the first quarter of 2025 shows a slight settling market, with some segments that confirm positive signals. According to the Nomisma surveys for the Federvini Observatory, sales the organized large -scale distribution recorded an overall stable trend, with differentiated dynamics between the sectors.

The wine generated a value of 694 million euros, recording a slight flexion of 1% compared to the same period of the previous year. To tow the segment are the quality sparkling wines, with the classic growth method of 7.1% and the sweet charmat increasing by 2%. Generic and sparkling wines remain difficulty, while the wines with a protected geographical indication (PGI) mark a +1.1% value.

Even the spirits sector is affected by a certain weakness with sales of 274 million euros, mongoloide 3.2% 2024. However, positive performances are distinguished for some segments, such as Gin (+14.2%), keep alcoholic aperitifs, while griffa, sweet and bitter liquors are flexed.

The trend of the acets are more positive, which the first quarter mark a growth of 1.8% value. Per mezzo di particular, the manifestazione of apple vinegar (+6.4%) and wine vinegar (+1.5%) stand out.

The Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, the other hand, undergoes a slight contraction of 0.7%, while maintaining a significant market share, equal to 32% of the total sold GDO.

As for consumption outside the home, the Tradelab giorno indicate a total value of 81.4 billion euros 2024, up 1% compared to the previous year. Despite a flexion of visits equal to 1.6%, the sector shows sealing signals, with wine and bubbles that continue to play a central role especially evening occasions, such as dinners and aperitifs.

Sector giorno: important numbers, but signals to be monitored

Although exports of Italian wines, spirits and acetes have recorded a tendentially positive trend the last five years, there is voto negativo lack of concerns related to an unstable current paesaggio that continues to produce repercussions the supply costs of raw materials and energy, inflation and employment rate.

A picture that the first quarter of 2025 showed signs of a generalized slowdown:

Wine grows only by 0.7% value, penalized by slowdown the United Kingdom and growing competition from third countries; The spirits mark +3.1%, towed by liqueurs ( +10.9%), while griffa falls by 14%; Aceti retreat by 1.4%, while maintaining positive performances key markets such as the United States, Germany, France and South Korea 2024.

We cannot ignore the international implications of recent attacks between the United States and Iran that could lead to further commercial difficulties. Furthermore, it is not clear what will happen from here to 9 July, the date which the definitive decision of the United States is expected to introduce a further duty up to +20%, if not even further, wines, spirits and acetes. A delicate passage that could weigh significantly exports to the first non-EU market for the Federvini supply chains.

“We need a strong and cohesive Europe – said Ponti – that acts with determination to facilitate dialogue and avoid any escalation. Our companies cannot continue to unjustly suffer the uncertainty dictated by the strong geopolitical tensions that are intensifying these hours. At this moment it is essential that our government together with the companies works synergy to guarantee the growth of the supply chain and access international markets for our production companies “.

Protection of European IGs and priorities

The Assembly also emphasized the aperto challenges the European field terms of geographical indications. Particular attention has been paid to recent cases of improper use by some Member States.

The birth of the European Vinegar Association is only one of the concrete signals of an growing commitment to guard the community tables and forcefully protect the distinctiveness of the Italian supply chains.

“It is essential – Ponti underlined – that the European Union protects the authentic meaning of traditional products. It is crucial to establish a legal definition at European level of vinegar”.

A message that extends to the whole sector represented by Federvini, now called to reaffirm its role not only economic, but also cultural and strategic for the country.

“My rete – concluded Ponti – is clear: to create value. For businesses, for the territories, for the Italy system. Economic value, but also reputational. Federvini will be a strong and competent garrison for an Italy that produces, innovate and dialogue with the world, with pride and responsibility.”

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Federvini is the Italian reference organization of the main producers and importers of wines, liqueurs, brandy and acets, born 1917 and adherent to Federalimentare and Confindustria. Federation purposes are the representation of the interests of the sector national and international offices and the promotion of the values ​​that the sector expresses the quality of production, sustainability, relations with the territories, the culture of sociality and conviviality, awareness to conscious consumption.