by InTrieste
Italian pasta exporters are preparing for the possibility of pulling their products from American supermarket shelves before a new tariff takes effect next year, according to reports.
The U.S. Department of Commerce plans to impose an additional “anti-dumping” duty of 91.74 percent on 13 of Italy’s largest pasta producers, on top of the existing 15 percent general tariff on European agricultural products. The measure, if finalized, would take effect in January 2026.
Giuseppe Ferro, chief executive of La Molisana, one of the companies affected, told The Wall Street Journal that the tariffs would make it difficult for Italian exporters to operate profitably in the United States. “No one has the profit margins to sustain these tariffs,” he said, adding that it would be “a real shame to have the market snatched from us for no real reason.”
Last month, Mr. Ferro said La Molisana was considering opening a factory in the United States, noting that operating under a 107 percent tariff would be “impossible.”
Investigation and Dispute
The proposed anti-dumping duties stem from an investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce, which found that La Molisana and Garofalo were selling pasta at allegedly unfairly low prices between July 2023 and June 2024. Italian companies have denied the accusations and formally protested the preliminary findings.
Some Italian producers have suggested that the tariffs may reflect broader trade concerns rather than pricing alone. Cosimo Rummo, chief executive of Pasta Rummo, described the duties as “an excuse to block imports,” according to The Wall Street Journal.
Political and Economic Reactions
The proposed tariffs have drawn criticism from Italian officials. Last month, Italy’s agriculture minister, Francesco Lollobrigida, called the measure “hyper-protectionist” and argued that there was no justification for the new duties.
The United States is one of Italy’s largest export markets for pasta, with nearly €671 million in exports in 2024, according to Coldiretti, an Italian agricultural organization. The group warned that the tariffs could deliver a “fatal blow” to the sector.
Potential Impact on U.S. Consumers
For American shoppers, the tariffs could lead to higher prices for Italian pasta. Coldiretti estimated that the duties could nearly double the cost of a plate of pasta in the United States. Analysts also anticipate that higher prices could create opportunities for “Italian-sounding” pasta brands produced domestically.
According to Time, Italian imports accounted for roughly 12 percent of the U.S. pasta market last year. The report noted that Barilla, the largest pasta brand in the United States, produces most of its U.S. sales domestically and would not be affected by the new duties.
A U.S. Department of Commerce official recently told The Washington Post that the 107 percent tariff rate is “preliminary” and subject to review before being finalized in January.
