During the Myplant press conference, attention was also paid to figures relating to the Italian market.In 2024, the value of Italian horticulture production exceeded €3.25 billion (ISTAT), up 3.5% on 2023, +23% over five years and +30.8% compared to 2014, despite climatic and market challenges.

In 2024, the value of Italian horticulture production exceeded €3.25 billion (ISTAT), up 3.5% on 2023, +23% over five years and +30.8% compared to 2014, despite climatic and market challenges.

Nursery production accounts for 54.5% of the total (over €1.7 billion, +3.4%), while floriculture represents 45.5% (€1.5 billion, +3.5%). The sector accounts for 8% of plant production and 5.3% of Italian agriculture, with 17,500 companies and over 45,000 hectares cultivated (CREA – Chambers of Commerce).

Geographically, Central Italy concentrates 39% of the value (€1.26 billion), driven by Tuscany, leader of national nursery production with over €1 billion. This is followed by Northern Italy (38%, €1.23 billion) and Southern Italy (23%, €760 million), with Sicily as the leading production area in the South.

At international level, the global value of flower and potted plant production in 2024 is estimated at €24.5 billion, to which are added €29 billion from nursery production and €101 million from bulb production (CREA based on AIPH data).

In the same year, the EU horticulture sector reached a production value of €24.5 billion (EUROSTAT).

Italy confirms itself as a net exporter, with a positive trade balance of €374 million: exports exceeding €1.2 billion (+6.3%) and imports amounting to €888 million. The main export markets remain France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

The economic weight of the sector makes it not only a driver of employment and exports, but also a contributor to environmental solutions, especially in urban centres, through scientific research, innovation, design, supply and care of plants for parks, street trees, gardens and green infrastructures.