It is worth €433.3 billion and accounts for nearly 10% of the national economy. Italy’s bioeconomy remains one of the most developed in Europe, thanks to the strength of the agri-food sector, the innovative capacity of its businesses, and production chains that help strengthen sustainability, economic security, and strategic autonomy.
This is what emerges from the 12th Report on the Bioeconomy in Europe, presented today, Tuesday, May 16, in Rome, hosted by the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and produced by the Research Department of Intesa Sanpaolo in collaboration with the SPRING Cluster, with contributions from SRM, the Intesa Sanpaolo Innovation Center, and the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli.”
Now in its twelfth edition, the report has established itself as a key reference for industry professionals and policymakers, providing a quantification of the complex array of sectors that use renewable bio-based raw materials—which are increasingly crucial not only from a sustainability perspective but also for Europe’s strategic autonomy.
This document presents the 2025 update of estimates on the value of production and employment in the bioeconomy in the main EU-27 countries and in Italy, including updated estimates for Italian regions and innovative startups specializing in the sustainable use of biological resources.
The report also includes an in-depth analysis of the forest resources supply chain—one of the pillars of the bioeconomy in Europe and Italy—with a specific focus on competitiveness, sustainability, and circularity.
The Importance of the Bioeconomy in Italy
Italy plays a leading role on the European stage. With a production value of €433.3 billion, it ranks among the sector’s leading economies, standing out for its contribution to the overall economy, which exceeds the European average. The growth recorded in 2025 was driven primarily by the competitiveness of the agri-food sector in international markets.
The key indicators reveal a reality that has now become central to the Italian economy:
- €433.3 billion in production value in 2025
- more than 2 million workers, accounting for 7.6% of total employment
- nearly 10% of total national economic activity
- 707 innovative startups, accounting for 6.2% of the Italian total.
The Wood Industry: Balancing Competitiveness and the Circular Economy
Among the in-depth analyses in the Report, the one dedicated to the wood industry stands out as one of the sectors most representative of the transition toward sustainable production models. In the EU-27, forest area grew by 11% between 1990 and 2025, while Italy stands out with a 24% increase, accompanied by a 56.9% rise in forestry employment between 2000 and 2023.
Our country also maintains a leading position in furniture production, thanks to the competitiveness of its industrial districts and its ability to capture the highest segments of the international market. At the same time, the widespread adoption of recovery and recycling practices confirms the sector’s role as a cutting-edge laboratory for the circular economy. For wooden packaging, Italy achieves a recycling rate of 64.9%, one of the highest in Europe.