The outcome is that lettuce plants absorb these compounds, which are present in varying concentrations, with different degrees of uptake and metabolism in different tissues. In the first two months of 2025, exports of Italian agro-food products grew by 11%. According to Coldiretti, this surge is driven by fears of new tariffs.
Italian agro-food products are gaining ground in the United States. In the first two months of 2025, exports grew by 11% compared to the same period last year, even as overall Italian exports fell by 3% across all sectors. The trend points to a boom driven partly by fears of impending tariffs, with February alone seeing a 14% jump in food exports versus a 10% drop across all industries.
This data, released by Coldiretti based on Istat statistics, highlights a strong start to the year for Italian food in the US—despite ongoing economic and trade uncertainties.
Export growth varies by product
According to Coldiretti’s report during the TuttoFood trade fair, not all Made in Italy food products are experiencing the same growth. Wine remains the top export to the US, but one of the strongest performers has been Grana Padano cheese, which saw an 11% increase in early 2025—nearly double the average growth rate.
The numbers suggest that American importers accelerated purchases of Italian products out of concern for potential tariffs, a topic circulating months before former President Trump’s official announcements.
“Despite trade tensions, it’s clear that the years-long investment in promoting Italian food in the US is paying off,” said Ettore Prandini, president of Coldiretti. “We must now do everything possible to avoid a trade war that would ultimately harm everyone.”
The threat of italian sounding products
While the short-term export figures are encouraging, questions remain about the future. Much depends on what actions former President Trump might take in upcoming negotiations with the European Union. Another persistent concern is the spread of italian sounding products—goods that imitate Italian names and branding but are produced outside of Italy.
According to Coldiretti, the United States leads the world in fake Italian food production, with an estimated value exceeding $40 billion. Cheese is the most counterfeited category.
The case of Parmesan from Wisconsin
Based on USDA data cited by Coldiretti, the US produces 222 million kilos of Parmesan, 170 million kilos of provolone, 23 million kilos of pecorino romano, and nearly 40 million kilos of other Italian-style cheeses such as friulano. Mozzarella alone accounts for over 2 billion kilos, bringing the total to nearly 2.7 billion kilos of imitation Italian cheese.
Cold cuts and cheese
Roughly 90% of so-called Italian-style cheese is made in Wisconsin, California, and New York—now exceeding domestic production of American originals like cheddar, colby, monterey, and jack.
But it’s not just about cheese. Some of the most iconic Italian cold cuts are also being imitated in the US. That includes copies of prosciutto di Parma, San Daniele, mortadella Bologna, and salame Milano.
