The increase is partly driven by what Coldiretti described as “the strange alliance” between Russia and the United States which, “divided by the war in Ukraine, rank respectively as the country where the production of fake ‘Italian’ products has grown the most in the past year and the one where they record the highest turnover”.

The contribution of protected designation of origin Made in Italy food products to national exports and growth could be significantly higher if international food counterfeiting is stopped, said Coldiretti President Ettore Prandini at Tuttofood, an agribusiness event in Milan.

“This is a priority for the new legislature because curbing the spread of ‘agro-piracy’ at the table could create as many as 300,000 jobs in Italy,” he added.

ANSA