Foreign trade data for 2025

In an era of tariffs, exports from Treviso and Belluno hold their ground


Economic Report - published on 24 March 2026


Source: Research and Statistics Office, Treviso-Belluno Chamber of Commerce

Logo CCIAA Treviso - Belluno

For Treviso, the year-over-year change is -0.6%; for Belluno, it is -0.3%.

Sales in the U.S. declined for both provinces, while EU markets are recovering.

Machinery sales showed positive growth for both Treviso (+3.4%) and Belluno (+13.4%).

Treviso, March 23, 2026

Comment by President Mario Pozza

According to data released by Istat, in 2025—comments Mario Pozza, President of the Treviso and Belluno|Dolomiti Chamber of Commerce—exports from the province of Treviso declined slightly by 0.6%. The decline is less severe than in the first nine months (when it stood at -1.2%) and confirms trends we had also observed in recent economic surveys. The companies surveyed indicated signs of recovery in orders from abroad specifically in the latter part of the year.

For Belluno — the President continues — exports are nearly flat (-0.3%). This result averages out the opposing trends of two major provincial sectors. Sales are down for the eyewear sector. The refrigeration sector, on the other hand, is driving exports of machinery and electronic equipment.

For both provinces, the decline in exports to the U.S. market is a major factor. For Treviso, the U.S. is the third-largest market by export value, accounting for 8% of total provincial exports. Sales fell by 8.1%, equivalent to a loss of 109 million euros. Nearly half of this decline is attributable to household appliances (-45 million, -56.8%), a figure easily linked to U.S. tariffs on steel. Fortunately, this decline in exports to the U.S. is partially offset by growth in other non-EU markets and by a substantial holding of ground within the EU. Fortunately, this decline in the U.S. is partially offset by growth in other non-EU markets and by a largely stable performance within the EU (-0.9%).

Sales in the US also declined for Prosecco (-6.6%, -€21 million): however, in this case, it is important to note the surge in demand that occurred in the first half of the year to avoid the impact of tariffs, which subsequently led to a market stalemate as the industry awaits the clearance of accumulated inventory.

Significant declines were also seen in the U.S. for the machinery sector (-13.4%, -€34 million), which is performing well overall, and for the furniture sector (-12.3%, -22 million euros), which is also struggling within the EU (-3.4%, mainly due to lower sales in the French, Spanish, and Polish markets, only partially offset by a recovery in the German market).

For Belluno, the United States is the primary export market: it accounts for nearly 600 million euros in exports, 12% of the provincial total. The decline in exports to the U.S. is driven by the eyewear sector. The drop for this sector is in the double digits: from 870 million euros in 2024 to nearly 525 million in 2025 (-39.9%). This corresponds to lost trade flows of over 295 million euros, a significant figure that points, as we have already noted in previous reports, to highly plausible redefinitions of the global value chain’s architecture –  continues Pozza. – As a result of this reorganization, a historically significant portion of export volumes originating from the province of Belluno may have shifted to foreign-to-foreign flows (from Asian manufacturing countries to final consumer markets) or to production facilities located directly in the U.S. This is compounded by a drastic reduction in competitiveness in the U.S. market for smaller manufacturers with their own brands, due to tariffs.

It is nevertheless interesting to note –  the President continues – how our companies have managed to offset the slowdown in the U.S. by expanding into new geographic markets. In both provinces, double-digit growth stands out in particular for exports to Mexico and the United Arab Emirates—the latter serving as a logistics hub for the Middle East, now at the center of new conflict scenarios. Exports from Treviso to India are growing (+45.7%, +48 million). Added to this are signs of a recovery in the EU market: exports to Germany (+2.8% for Treviso and +9.0% for Belluno) and France (+3.4% for Treviso and +8.2% for Belluno) are rebounding in particular.

Looking at the sectors, I highlight the resilience of machinery (+3.4% in Treviso and +13.4% in Belluno) with a geographic diversification of markets affecting both provinces. This is a sign that, despite the uncertainty (or perhaps because of it), there has still been room for growth for our companies offering customized industrial plant solutions around the world. In addition to those components of the mechanical engineering industry now activated by the expanded defense supply chain.

In the current climate, diversification is more necessary than ever. And we have been promoting this process for some time now – concludes Pozza, also in his capacity as President of Assocamerestero. – I have just returned from a mission to Australia, which, in addition to fostering trade with this market, laid the groundwork for the Southeast Asia Forum that the Treviso-Belluno|Dolomiti Chamber of Commerce will host in mid-June in Treviso, specifically to open new business avenues for our companies toward one of the regions with the greatest potential for global growth.

The National and Regional Picture

In 2025, according to data released by Istat, the value of national exports increased by 3.3% compared to the previous year. A similar trend is observed for imports, which grew by 3.2% over the same period.

The trend in national exports reflects highly varied market dynamics.

Exports to the European Union increased by 4.2%, with widespread growth among the main economic partners. Spain stands out in particular; as noted in previous reports, it is proving to be an extremely dynamic market, with double-digit growth in national exports (+10.6%). Exports are also recovering to Germany (+2.4%) and France (+5.3%).

Outside the European Union, the value of exports rose by 2.4%. This result reflects an average of export growth to the United States (+7.2%, driven mainly by shipbuilding and pharmaceuticals) and to the United Arab Emirates (+19.7%) and India (+9.4%), alongside a decline, particularly to China and Hong Kong (-6.5%), Turkey (-23.1%), and Mexico (-9.8%).

As for regional trends, national exports benefited primarily from the positive performance of central regions, particularly Lazio (+9.6%) and Tuscany (+21.3%), both driven by higher sales of pharmaceutical, chemical, medicinal, and botanical products, with gold jewelry adding to the growth in Tuscany.

For the Northeast, the slight increase (+2.0%) incorporates the exceptional result of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (+17.8%), attributable to shipbuilding.

For the Veneto region, the overall picture for exports remains essentially stable (-0.2%). Here too, this is an average result, reflecting the resilience of the food and machinery sectors. Beverage exports are also essentially stable (+0.5%), but this figure includes a decline in Treviso’s Prosecco (-3.1%) and a slight decrease in the Verona sector (-0.9%). On the other hand, difficulties persist for footwear (-7.4%) and leather tanning (-5.1%). Eyewear and furniture are also down.

Geographically, the European Union is driving Veneto’s exports (+2.1%). Standout performances include exports to Spain (+7.0%) and Poland (+7.8%), but traditional markets are also recovering, with moderate growth in France (+2.3%) and Germany (+1.1%). Outside the European Union, sales fell by -3.4%, penalized mainly by the United Kingdom (-15.6%, attributable to shipbuilding) and the United States (-6.4%). Several sectors contributed to the contraction of the U.S. market, starting with eyewear. The decline was also seen in exports of furniture, machinery, and household appliances. As for beverages, the drop reflects a period of adjustment: following the rush to purchase in the early months of the year to anticipate the introduction of tariffs, the U.S. market is now in the process of clearing accumulated inventory.

Exports from Veneto to China and Hong Kong also fell by 11.7%. Finally, the United Arab Emirates (+15.3%) and India (+24.4%) stand out for bucking the trend with double-digit growth.

Trade in the Province of Treviso

For the Province of Treviso, the year closed with exports totaling nearly €15.7 billion, a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to 2024. This result, an improvement over the -1.2% recorded in the first nine months, reflects trends also revealed by economic surveys: the sample of manufacturing firms reported, in fact, a recovery in orders from abroad in the latter part of the year.

The data highlight a province that has managed to offset the slowdown in key markets such as the U.S. (-8.1%, which particularly affected household appliances, beverages, machinery, furniture, and sporting goods) by tapping into new geographic markets. Particularly notable is the double-digit growth toward Mexico, India, and the United Arab Emirates, the latter serving as a logistics hub for the Middle East, now at the center of new war scenarios. At the same time, there was a slight increase of +1.0% in the European Union market, driven by the recovery in France (+3.4%) and Germany (+2.8%), as well as the consolidation of Spain (+2.0%) and Poland (+2.5%), markets that are increasingly receptive to exports from Treviso.

Looking at the various sectors, the annual report highlights the province’s exports of industrial machinery, food products, electrical equipment, chemicals, electronics, and sporting goods: sales in all these sectors are up compared to the previous year. On the other hand, products related to the home sector (furniture and appliances), textiles and apparel, and automotive components are declining. Sales of beverages and footwear are also down.

For the main sectors, the findings from the market analysis are reported below.

Machinery exports rebound (+3.4%)

This category remains the top export by value for the province. Overseas sales of machinery saw an annual increase of +3.4%, whereas they had remained virtually flat when comparing 2024 to 2023. Within the European Union, demand has rebounded notably in Germany (+12.3%) and France (+8.3%), accompanied by excellent performance in Spain (+11.9%) and Austria (+20.4%). Outside the European Union, the most significant increases were observed in the United Arab Emirates, which more than doubled demand (+141%), and in India (+50.9%) and Mexico (+47.3%), which are establishing themselves as strategic partners in machinery purchases. The negative note comes from the United States, which recorded a decline of -13.4%, suffering from the uncertainty linked to protectionist policies.

Contrasting trends for food (+11.3%) and beverages (-3.1%)

The food and beverage sectors experienced contrasting export trends in 2025: compared to 2024, food exports increased by +11.3%, while beverage sales (primarily Prosecco) declined by -3.1%, following a first half of the year marked by growth (+10.8%) driven by the aforementioned phenomenon of front-loaded demand.

For the food sector, which proved to be the province’s most dynamic sector, sales intensified particularly within the European Union, driven by France (+35.8%), but double-digit growth was widespread across most of the region’s major markets. Exports, on the other hand, are down to the non-EU27 area (-5.7%), but not this time due to the U.S., where Treviso food products grew by +10.8%. Sales growth in the United Kingdom was also significant (+28.2%).

Overall, the sector’s exports are driven, in particular, by coffee (and a price effect due to rising raw material costs likely plays a role), fresh pasta products, frozen foods, dairy products, and preserved/processed meats.

As for beverages, however, following the growth of recent years, the provincial sector (primarily Prosecco) is experiencing a decline in exports. The performance over the past year has been weighed down primarily by the downturn in the U.S. market, which is the largest by value. Sales to the United States have dropped from €310 million in 2024 to the current €290 million (-6.6%), a decline primarily linked to the management of inventory accumulated in previous periods due to the introduction of tariffs. Exports to Canada are also down (from €47.3 million to €35.9 million; -24.0%). Exports, on the other hand, are recovering to the United Kingdom (+5.1%) and France (+12.2%).

For the Sportsystem, footwear remains down (-2.3%), while sporting goods are up (+4.1%)

A contrasting trend is observed for the Sportsystem sector: its supply chain saw a decline in footwear exports (-2.3%), though this was less severe than the sharply negative result recorded in 2024 (-13.5%), while sports goods grew by +4.1%.

Sales of athletic footwear are declining both to the European Union—the main export market, accounting for 70% of total exports, with a drop of -1.6%—and to markets outside the EU-27 (-4.0%). In both regions, the decline is widespread across most markets. Notably, Germany, one of the main markets, saw a further decline of -3.2%, though this was less severe than the sharp -21.0% drop of the previous year. Bucking the trend, France (+9.8%) and the United States (+12.4%) posted positive growth. For the U.S. market, the figure reflects a gradual stabilization following the +31.7% surge in the first half of the year, a sign of demand concentrated in the first half due to fears of tariffs.

As for sporting goods, exports grew thanks to European demand (+10.6%, compared to -5.2% the previous year). In addition to the recoveries in the French (+10.3%) and Austrian (+9.8%) markets and the consolidation of the German market (+7.4%), double-digit growth was observed in exports to Poland, the Netherlands, and Spain. The 4.6% decline in sales to the non-EU27 area is primarily driven by the U.S. market (-9.4%, attributable to the drop in exports in the second half of the year). The decline in exports to the U.S. is partially offset by the Canadian and Swiss markets, along with exponential growth in the United Arab Emirates, albeit at volumes that remain niche.

For the Home Furnishings Sector, furniture (-5.2%) and household appliances (-5.1%) are down

Provincial exports of furniture and household appliances have seen a similar decline: -5.2% for the former and -5.1% for the latter.

More than half of the overall decline in furniture exports is attributable to the top two markets within the EU-27 and outside the EU-27. Sales to France fell from 353 million in 2024 to the current 324 million (-8.0%). In the United States, the new protectionist policy is having an impact: the value of exports has dropped from 175 million to the current 154 million (-12.3%, corresponding to a shortfall of 21.3 million compared to 2024).

Despite the overall decline, however, Treviso-based furniture manufacturers are seeing a partial recovery in the German (+3.6%) and Russian (+31.5%) markets. Finally, furniture exports to Canada are consolidating (+25.6%).

The home appliances sector is primarily suffering from the contraction of the U.S. market. Sales to the U.S. have more than halved: from 80 million euros in 2024 to the current 34.4 million euros (-56.8%, representing a shortfall of over 45 million euros). However, to partially offset this, there has been significant export growth to other non-EU markets, particularly in the Arab and Middle Eastern regions. Exports to the EU remained largely stable (-0.9%), with very positive performance in France (+25.2%) and a slight recovery in Germany (+2.4%), but also significant declines in Spain (-21.4%) and Austria (-31.8%).

Fashion and Automotive Sectors Still in Decline

The textile and apparel sector is facing the greatest difficulties (-8.1%), with widespread export declines almost everywhere (Germany -16.0%, France -12.9%). Romania (a production hub) stands out as a positive exception.

Exports in the automotive sector are still down by 3.3%, though this decline is less severe than the 11.0% drop recorded the previous year. The decline in Treviso-based automotive components is largely due to a drop in exports to non-EU27 countries (-6.6%) and, in particular, to the UK market (-32.5%). For the European Union, the decline in sales is -1.8%, driven by the crisis in the German (-6.2%) and French (-7.2%) sectors. However, there is a striking positive trend toward Spain (+39.2%), which is becoming an increasingly important market.

Purchases from abroad by Treviso-based companies in 2025 amounted to 8.8 billion euros, an increase of 7.8% compared to the same period the previous year.

Trade in the Province of Belluno

In 2025, exports from the Province of Belluno exceeded 5 billion euros. The final balance shows substantial stability, with a change of -0.3% compared to 2024. This result averages out opposing trends characterizing the province’s two main sectors—the eyewear industry and the cold chain sector (machinery and electronic control components)—which together account for 86.5% of Belluno’s exports.

On the one hand, the eyewear sector saw a 5.2% decline in foreign sales, resulting in a decrease of nearly 200 million euros compared to 2024. On the other hand, exports linked to the cold chain sector saw a 13.4% increase in mechanical equipment (+56 million), coupled with more than double the growth in sales of electronic products (+115.6%, from 124 to 267 million euros): a feat already partly foreshadowed by the year-over-year change in the first 9 months (+79.3%) but now further reinforced, prompting an investigation into the reasons behind it. Let’s examine the figures underlying these two trends in greater detail.

As is well known, the eyewear industry accounts for nearly three-quarters of Belluno’s total exports. The year-over-year decline of 5.2% is primarily driven by the sharp drop in exports to the U.S. market (-39.9%), which have fallen from 871 million euros in 2024 to the current 524 million euros. In absolute terms, the shortfall amounts to -348 million euros: as highlighted in previous reports, given this magnitude, it is difficult not to consider global-scale supply chain reorganizations, accelerated by tariffs. Naturally, this applies to companies that have such room to maneuver. This has visible effects on the low level of production capacity utilization among companies positioned in the middle of the eyewear supply chain (see the report on the manufacturing sector’s economic survey for the fourth quarter of 2025, also published on the Chamber of Commerce website).

The overall annual balance of eyewear exports to non-EU markets is partly mitigated by significant increases in sales to the United Kingdom (+4.5%, corresponding to +11 million), Mexico (+10.6%, +20 million), Turkey (+6.5%, +12 million), and Israel (+20.5%, from 27 to 33 million).
Sales in the EU-27 market showed positive growth (+8.7%, +€130 million). In particular, sales to Spain (+14.9%, +€36 million) and the Netherlands (+18.1%) saw double-digit growth. Sales to Germany also rebounded strongly (+6.3%, +€17 million).

As anticipated, export data for the refrigeration sector tell a different story. First and foremost, the +13.4% increase is driven more by sales outside the EU (+18.7%) than by those within the EU (+10.5%). And among non-EU markets, sales to the U.S. doubled (+100.6%, with flows rising from 10.4 to 20.9 million). However, caution is warranted regarding statistical distortions caused by the phenomenon of demand being pulled forward ahead of the tariffs taking effect. In fact, in the first six months, this sector already showed a year-over-year increase in exports to the US of +300%, bringing sales to 15 million euros even then. Therefore, the doubling recorded at the end of 2025 is the result of an export surge concentrated entirely in the first six months.

Alongside this specific trajectory, clearly disrupted by the tariff issue, there were also significant export increases to the United Kingdom (+18.4%, +5 million), to Arab markets (UAE and Saudi Arabia, +4.8 million euros), and to Australia (from 4 to 10 million).

Exports to EU markets (excluding France) also saw significant growth: +10.1% to Germany, +8.8% to Spain, with even stronger increases to Eastern European countries.

In the Belluno province, the cold chain sector also encompasses electronic control equipment. As mentioned, exports of these products more than doubled compared to 2024 (+115.6%, +143 million euros). Is this entirely due to the supply chain? For the most part, yes, as far as we have been able to verify. Temperature monitoring and the integration of various machines require increasingly sophisticated electronic control and connectivity systems. However, it cannot be ruled out that a minority but significant portion of these flows may also be attributable to new eyewear products with integrated technology, such as electrical and electronic devices for data transmission or electromedical equipment—segments that, in any case, belong to the broader Ateco 26 division, which specifically covers electronic products. The Belluno cold chain is on an upward trend, and this certainly has positive repercussions on electronic equipment as well. But in the face of this disruptive dynamic, widespread across nearly all major markets, it is natural to hypothesize—with the usual benefit of the doubt—a break from the past, something to be closely monitored in the future.

Given these encouraging developments in Belluno’s export trends, we can wrap up the year-end report by highlighting the solid performance of the food sector (+17.1%, +10 million euros) and the chemical-pharmaceutical sector (+6.7%).

Belluno’s total imports grew by +5.3% in 2025. However, inputs for the eyewear supply chain declined by -7.3% (-€38 million), another indication of changes in the supply chain structure. Timber imports saw a significant rebound: after two years in which purchases had stabilized at around 11.5–12.5 million euros, 2025 closed with an 87.5% increase in timber imports, with purchases nearing 22 million euros.

Exports from Veneto, Treviso, and Belluno to the United States

The United States is one of the main economic partners of Veneto and the provinces of Treviso and Belluno. For Veneto and Treviso, it is the third-largest export market; for Belluno, it is the largest. It is therefore considered necessary to monitor the evolution of trade flows to this market in light of the growing protectionist barriers put in place by the U.S. administration.

These measures not only represent a direct cost but also create a climate of decision-making uncertainty. In fact, many companies initially responded with a “preemptive” strategy—that is, stockpiling goods in U.S. warehouses before the tariffs took effect—which was followed by a natural decline in orders in subsequent quarters. Furthermore, in the long term, several companies may consider moving production directly to U.S. soil to circumvent customs barriers.

It is worth recalling that on February 10, 2025, a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum went into effect, and in August, the U.S. and the European Union reached an agreement on a 15% tariff for nearly all European products imported into the United States (including furniture and food).

This tariff was subsequently ruled unlawful by the U.S. Supreme Court, and from February 24 through July 24, 2026, U.S. trade policy provides—barring further revisions—for a 10% tariff on most manufactured goods imported from the European Union.

For sectors considered strategic by the U.S. administration, tariffs are even higher and have been tightened over the past year. For steel and aluminum, the rate is 50%, and it also affects derivative products and mechanical equipment that use these materials. For furniture as well, the tariff structure is more complex due to specific protections on the wood supply chain: an additional 5% is applied to the base rate of 10% for wood products, with the possibility of a 50% tariff being applied if significant metal parts are present.

With this necessary introduction, we will examine the data on regional and provincial trade with the United States, released by Istat for the year 2025.

For the Veneto region, sales to the U.S. exceeded 6.8 billion euros, accounting for 8.5% of the province’s total. Compared to 2024, regional exports to this market declined by 6.4%, corresponding to a decrease of nearly 463 million euros. Much of the decline is attributable to the eyewear sector, which saw a 28.7% drop in sales (from 1.2 billion in 2024 to nearly 875 million in 2025). Machinery, the top regional export category, also declined by 3.1%, as did furniture (-15.8%). Beverage exports also fell by 4.6%, a result attributable to the need to clear out inventory accumulated in the first part of the year due to fears of tariffs. Textile sales, on the other hand, are recovering (from 186 million to 290 million, +56.1%).

For the province of Treviso, exports to the United States are worth over 1.2 billion euros, accounting for 7.9% of the province’s total, and are down 8.1% from the previous year. Nearly half of this decline is attributable to household appliances (-45.3 million; -56.8%), a figure that, as previously noted, is easily linked to the restrictions imposed on steel by the U.S. administration. A reduction in exports is also observed for the top four categories, which alone account for 60% of the province’s overseas sales: beverages, machinery, furniture, and sporting goods. Among these categories, the most significant declines are seen in machinery (-13.4%; -33.6 million euros) and furniture (-12.3%; -21.6 million). For beverages (primarily Prosecco), the decline is -6.6% (-20.5 million) and -9.4% for sporting goods (-7.6 million): for both, this is attributable to the need to clear out inventory accumulated in the first half of the year. Footwear bucked the trend, growing by +12.4% over the year. However, this too is the result of a sales surge concentrated entirely in the first six months of the year, when sales rose by 31.7% due to fears of tariffs. Finally, food-related products saw growth in exports to the U.S. (+10.8%).

For the province of Belluno, the U.S. market accounts for nearly 600 million euros in exports (equivalent to 11.9% of the total). Year-over-year export growth is down by 35.5%. As is well known, this result is driven by the eyewear sector, which accounts for nearly 90% of Belluno’s exports to this market. For the sector, the decline is significant: from 871 million euros in 2024 to the current 524 million (-39.9%, due to a decrease of over 296 million euros). As previously mentioned, this significant reduction is attributable to structural changes in the supply chain, perhaps foreshadowed by recent trade policies.

While eyewear exports to the U.S. are declining, exports of machinery and electronic and sensor products are increasing (items largely related to the refrigeration sector, another area of excellence in the Belluno province). For machinery, the increase is +100.6%. However, as previously noted, this performance occurred in the first half of the year, when sales had accelerated by +300%, suggesting a surge in demand ahead of the introduction of tariffs. Finally, a significant increase is observed for electronics and sensor products (+114.8%).

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