An international study shows that 1 in 4 people increased their pasta consumption during 2020. This figure is in line with the twenty-year growth trend: in 2019 almost 16 million tons of pasta were produced in the world, compared to 7 million tons produced 20 years ago.
Italy is the biggest pasta producer in the world (3.5 million tons in 2019): 1 out of 4 pasta dishes in the world is Italian, 3 out of 4 in Europe. If 2019 marked a record in pasta exports (over 2.1 tons, + 7.5% compared to 2018), the data from Unione Italiana Food confirms an unexpected +25% in the first six months of 2020.
The pandemic plays an important role in the growing demand for pasta: it is in fact a good, healthy, easy to cook, sustainable food which can form the base of a low cost meal during these times of economic uncertainty.
The market prices of durum wheat semolina, both standard and high protein, are at the highest levels and our daily experience confirms that many large factories are currently operating at full capacity.
International buyers are unlikely to see a decline in pasta prices, at least in the short term.