In 2024, bilateral trade between Italy and Malta underwent further consolidation, with Italian exports to the archipelago reaching €2.34 billion (+11.9% on 2023) and imports amounting to €347 million (+20.2%). The trade balance, largely in favour of Italy (1.99 billion euros), testifies to the solidity of economic relations and the centrality of 'Made in Italy' products in the Maltese market. This is what is stated in a note on the website of the Italian Embassy in Valletta.
Among the leading sectors of the main exported products, ships and boats stand out, which in 2024 reached a value of 420 million euro, a strong growth compared to the previous year (an increase of over 70%). Products from oil refining were also particularly significant, rising from €344 million to over €401 million, buoyed by Malta's constant energy demand.
In the consumer durables segment, there was growth in furniture up to EUR 90 million, and other general-purpose machinery over EUR 58 million. On the agri-foodstuffs side, meat products reached EUR 74 million, while the category 'other foodstuffs' came close to EUR 55 million, confirming the Maltese passion for Italian gastronomic excellence.
With regard to basic chemicals and plastics, there is a slight increase from EUR 44 million to EUR 50 million, while beverages stand at around EUR 48 million. Electronic components, on the other hand, are on the decline, dropping from EUR 74 million in 2023 to EUR 59 million in 2024, although they remain an important sector for the supply of electronic devices and boards.
On the Maltese import side in Italy, ships and boats grow significantly, from around EUR 20 million to EUR 72 million. Other segments of interest include medicines and pharmaceutical preparations, which stood at EUR 49 million, and waste, which rose to almost EUR 40 million.
Also noteworthy is the performance of other special purpose machinery, which rose from EUR 15 million to EUR 22 million, and products from oil refining, which rose to EUR 19 million. In the chemical sector (201), imports of basic materials and fertilisers increased from EUR 4 million to over EUR 17 million, confirming a dynamic market for basic materials. Other noteworthy sectors include medical and dental instruments and supplies with EUR 15 million, fish and fishery products with EUR 13 million and 'other textiles', which also came close to EUR 13 million.
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