Find Italian Buyers, Importers, Distributors (2025 List)

Italy is a huge food and beverage market. Italian buyers are always looking for value-added products, whether it’s freshest ingredients, organic products, or exotic foreign flavours. In 2023 alone, Italy imported over €500 billion in goods and food and beverage is a big chunk of that.

The market here is curious and quality-driven. Italians love local products, but they also appreciate exotic, seasonal, and specialty items. That’s why international suppliers have real opportunities. If you’re thinking to export to Italy, understanding what Italian importers and wholesale buyers want is key.

Italian laws comply with EU regulations, so the procedure is quite easy but buyers are interested in compliance, certifications, and proper labeling. Essentially, your product's history, quality, and authenticity can be all that matters when approaching Italy importers or searching through a list of Italy buyers in a verified database of Italy buyers.

The takeaway? Italy is a trust-and-innovation-driven market. If you've got products that fit Italian tastes and standards, there's potential to expand, either through distributors, retail chains, or direct Italy food buyers.

People here are particular about quality, flavor, and authenticity. That is why foreign suppliers have a good chance at the market. In 2023, Italy imported more than €40 billion of food and beverages. Essentially, Italian consumers and purchasers of food in Italy are not afraid to look outside domestic goods. Top imported products in Italy include:

• Exotic fruits: bananas, pineapples, mangoes — products that don’t grow here but everyone wants.
• Seafood: frozen and fresh fish, shellfish — Italians are fish lovers so quality is key.
• Specialty grains and cereals: quinoa, ancient grains, imported staples.
• Alcoholic drinks: wines, beers, spirits — it's true that Italy produces wine but imports are huge.
• Vegetarian and organic products: from milk substitutes to snacks, demand is growing.
• Exotic spices and condiments: gourmet stores and restaurants can’t live without diversity of flavours.

A few rapidly growing niches are grabbing everyone's attention:

• Organic and non-GMO products
• Functional, health-oriented beverages
• Plant-based and vegan protein food
• Ready-to-eat gourmet snacks and meals

If you want to export to Italy, this is where you should focus. Whether you are going through a list of Italy buyers or a verified Italy buyers database, it is helpful to know what is hot in terms of products so that finding the importers, distributors, and wholesale buyers becomes a whole lot simpler.

If you’re thinking about exporting to Italy, it helps to know who’s actually buying. Here’s the breakdown:

• Importers: These are the gatekeepers. They bring international products into Italy, handle customs, and often distribute to smaller players. Authenticity, certifications, and consistent quality are a must.
• Distributors: Consider them to be the middle tier. They bridge suppliers with wholesale buyers in Italy, retailers, and foodservice destinations. They love products that are easy to stock, well branded and delivered consistently.
• Retail Chains: Supermarkets, hypermarkets, and specialist food stores are fussy. They only want up-to-date, certified, top-quality goods that appeal to Italian shoppers. They desire trendy, certified, premium products that resonate with Italian consumers. Some import directly from importers, others directly from manufacturers.
• Foodservice Providers (HORECA): Restaurants, hotels, and catering operations are all about taste, presentation, and portion size. Custom packs or exclusive items? They’ve got it all.
• Online Retailers: E-commerce in Italy is booming. Niche and specialty products have a real chance here, especially if you’re thinking beyond traditional grocery channels.

If you really do plan to do business with Italy, learning about the market, knowing who to sell to, and making sure everything is legal should be on your to-do list. Here’s how you can do it in practice:

• Start with research: Italy already has an established food and beverage scene. Check what Italian consumers and businesses actually want, who your target food buyers in Italy are, and how pricing works.
• Get compliance right: EU rules are non-negotiable. Labeling, packaging, and food safety need to be spot on if you’re planning to export to Italy.
• Paperwork is important: Don't miss this. Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin — the basics. If your goods are food or drinks, consider HACCP, organic, or ISO certifications.
• Get the right shipping partner: Choose a freight forwarder who knows EU logistics like the back of their hand. No hassle and no delays at customs.
• Clear up Incoterms: CIF, DDP, FOB — however you do it, ensure all parties are aware of who pays what. A single misstep here can lose a deal.
• Verify product approvals: Some products require EU or Italian registration prior to entry. It is better to do it early than be stuck at customs.

Exporting to Italy isn't merely shipping your products there — it's also showing that they meet the requirements and regulations of Italian buyers. Certifications aren't forms and sign-offs; they're the key to being considered by Italy importers, Italy food buyers, and Italy wholesale buyers.

Here's how it works:

• EU Organic Certification – If what you sell is organic, it's essentially a requirement. Italian consumers are concerned about authenticity.
• IFS or BRC – Large distributors and retailers usually request these certifications. They're a seal of quality for processed food.
• ISO 22000 or ISO 9001 – Demonstrates that you have a proper food safety or quality management system in place. Buyers take notice.
• Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO – Certain niches demand these. Think specialty stores or health-conscious segments.
• Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance – A growing demand for ethical sourcing. Italian buyers usually love a story behind the product.

Basically, the right certifications open doors. Combine them with a verified Italy buyer database or a solid list of Italy buyers, and you’re not just exporting, you’re entering the market with credibility.

How your product looks on the shelf or in bulk can make or break a deal. Ultimately, clarity, regulatory compliance, and attractiveness will be your top priorities.

These are the things Italian buyers like:

• Retail-packaging – Supermarkets, specialty retailers, and even some online stores adore products ready to be shelved. No preparation needed.
• Bulk packaging – Efficiency is what wholesalers and foodservice operators care about. They desire big packs that are convenient to handle and store.
• Environmentally-friendly packaging – Italians are going green. Materials that can be recycled, biodegradable, or reused will make your product stand out.

Labeling is all about transparent, candid information:

• Product name and brand – Buyers first see these.
• Ingredients list – Honesty creates trust.
• Net weight or volume – In metric terms, of course.
• Country of origin – Particularly valuable for specialty or imported foods.
• Nutritional facts – Required for the majority of food and beverage products.
• Allergen declarations – Safety first; customers will inquire.
• Best-before or expiration date – No surprises upon delivery.
• EU compliance marks – If your product is compliant, display it.