by InTrieste
Friuli Venezia Giulia emerged as Italy’s second-largest region for exports in 2025, recording an increase of nearly 18 percent compared with the previous year. Regional companies sold more than €20 billion worth of goods abroad, €3 billion higher than in 2024, according to data compiled by Alessandro Russo of Ires Fvg.
Only Tuscany registered a larger increase, with exports up more than 21 percent. By contrast, Italy as a whole saw exports grow 3.3 percent, while the broader Northeast region experienced a 2 percent rise.
The surge in Friuli Venezia Giulia’s exports was largely driven by the shipbuilding sector, which has historically shown significant volatility. Ship and boat sales in the region, slightly over €1 billion in 2024, rose to more than €3.7 billion last year.
Even excluding shipbuilding, regional exports remained positive, supported by mechanical engineering (+5.7 percent), furniture (+5.2 percent), and food products (+7.7 percent). Electronics and computer equipment, however, saw a notable decline of 38 percent.
Geographically, the shipbuilding growth was concentrated in the province of Trieste. Udine and Gorizia reported stable export levels, while Pordenone experienced a strong increase of 6.4 percent. Overall, trade flows to Germany and the United States contributed significantly to the region’s export performance.
