As yields rise year-on-year, Italy could double fennel production and balance decreasing acreage of the aromatic vegetable.

According to Colture Protette magazine on June 12, 2024, Italy’s fennel production increased by 19%  between 2000 and 2023. This is despite an acreage decrement of 14% over the same period.

The magazine quotes a study by Ismea, which shows the sector’s production is up even as cultivation declines. 

Acreage under Fennel

The study shows that there were 19,000 hectares under fennel across Italy in 2023, which produced 500,000 tons of the vegetable.

Besides, the value of initial consignments of 2023 reached 250 million euro ($272.65 million), strengthening Italy’s position as a top global supplier.

This way, Italy joins the likes of India and Turkey, the leading producers of aromatic vegetables such as anise and badian. 

Lucrative Markets

Italy’s lead in European production of fennel partially owes to nearby lucrative markets, namely Germany, France and Switzerland.

All the same, Ismea calls for expansion to other markets in order to reduce the issues of small market concentration. This way, production and demand swings could soften and keep retail prices below the seasonal peak of 3 euro ($3.27) a kilogram. 

Production Diversification

A mitigating factor to market volatility according to Ismea is diversification in geographical production to expand seasonality.

Currently, Puglia in the southeast, Calabria in the southwest and Abruzzo in the east-central region lead funnel cultivation.

These areas have a narrow season that runs in the winter months, which makes the Sicilian dish a mostly winter fare. 

What is Fennel?

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) or finocchio is a hardy tulip-like aromatic vegetable with feathery leaves and yellow blossoms.

Its aromatic qualities make it a favorite fruit pie garnish (especially with black olives), and a raw eating delight in southern Italy.

It is also a natural tonic qualities for people with gastric problems as its essential oil, anethole, reduces gas formation. 

Ultimately, upping funnel production could improve Italy’s lead in supplies locally and to northern Europe. As such, below are additional statistics on Italy’s fennel output and domestic consumption highlights.

Italy Fennel Statistics 

According to Volza, Italy was third in 2024 in total shipments at 1,498 shipments, for the period ending June 27, 2024. India led the number of shipments during this period at 64,476 consignments, while Turkey finished second with 1,836 shipments. The three countries held over 82% of world shipments that stood at 82,600 shipments by June 27, 2024.

In terms of consumption, Italy has also seen a rise and fall in appetite for fennel in recent years. According to Ismea, the 2022-23 period saw consumption rise by 7.4% year-on-year. But the consumption rate fell by 5.6% in the 2023-24 period. In terms of sales, Italians mostly by fennel in bulk form, which constitutes 92% of all sales. As a packaged product, however, fennel enjoys only 8% of the total sales in the country.