Total Italian farm machinery sales, including machine components, increased approximately 4.7% in 2007, for a value of $9.63 billion, according to the Italian Farm Machinery Manufacturers Association (UNACOMA). To a great extend this growth in sales can be attributed to increased demand for farm machinery in world markets, particularly since the domestic market has experienced relatively flat growth. For 2008 and 2009, Italian production should benefit from continued global growth in the demand of farm machinery.

Italian exports of farm machinery account for about 55% of total production. In 2007 they experienced an increase of 7% over the prior year. This growth has been fueled primarily by strong demand for farm equipment in Europe, Asia, and in the Americas. During the same period, exports of Italian farm machinery to the U.S. have been slowed by general weakness in the U.S. dollar as well as drought conditions that have affected farming in some areas of the country. This trend is expected to accelerate in the near future, as the U.S. economy will be growing at a substantially slower pace.

Italian farm equipment manufacturers are looking to foreign markets to grow their businesses, especially to opportunities in Europe and North America. Italian companies provide OEMs with high quality, cost-efficient partners for parts and assembly systems. The United States is the most important market for Italian farm machinery outside of Europe. Last year, U.S. imports of Italian farm machinery (including component parts) totaled approximately $370 million. Italy is the 5th largest foreign supplier and during the first eight months of 2008, exported $301 million worth of farm machinery and components to the United States. In terms of sales, Italy is the largest producer of farm machinery in world next to the United States.

For distributors looking to carry new equipment lines, Italian manufacturers offer highly competitive, quality farm equipment with proven performance in the world market.

To learn more about Italian farm machinery products and manufacturers, please call the Italian Trade Commission at (404) 525-0660, visit www.italianfarmmachinery.com, or e-mail us at amussa@italianfarmmachinery.com