In recent years, exports had allowed the Marche production system to resist the crises caused first by the Covid-19 pandemic and then by international tensions. However, 2024 also started badly on the foreign sales front.
The secretary of Confartigianato Marche, Gilberto Gasparoniand the secretary of Cna Marche, Moreno Bordonipoint out that “the collapse of exports of pharmaceutical products in the first quarter of the year caused a drastic reduction in Marche exports, which fell from 8.1 to 3.6 billion euros, with a loss of 4.5 billion equal to -55.5%. Even excluding medicines, Marche exports still suffered a decline of 2.6%, going from 3 billion and 196 million in the first three months of 2023 to 3 billion and 113 million in the same period of this year (-83, 2 millions). The sectors most affected are mechanics and fashion.”
Of particular concern was the decline in sales of pharmaceutical products towards China (-97.1%) e Belgium (-74.6%). Overall, pharmaceutical exports from the Marche region almost dropped to zero between January and April (-90.2%).
“If the decline in pharmaceutical exports is probably temporary” Gasparoni and Bordoni point out, “the negative export data in the mechanical and fashion sectors is causing concern. Exports of machinery and equipment decreased by over 113 million euros compared to the first quarter of 2023, equal to -17.3%, while footwear suffered a reduction of 40.1 million euros, equal to 8, 1%. The textile sector lost 6.4 million euros, or 20.8%, while clothing saw an increase in exports of 3.3 million euros, or 2.1%. Overall, the fashion system recorded a contraction in exports of 43.2 million euros, equal to -6.3%. Mechanics and fashion are key sectors of the Marche economy, and it is therefore essential to pay close attention to these signs of difficulty to intervene promptly and avoid more serious crises”.
In the other manufacturing sectors of the Marche, there is an increase in exports of means of transport, food products and electrical appliances. However, the wood, paper and printing, chemicals, plastics, metals and computer sectors are all showing negative signs.
“These quarterly data” conclude Bordoni and Gasparoni, “they are susceptible to corrections in subsequent quarters, but it is prudent not to underestimate them. It is necessary to intensify collaboration between the Region, the Special Companies of the Chamber of Commerce and the trade associations to support exporting companies from the Marche region and facilitate their participation in national and international fairs. In this context, it is important to refinance the dedicated fund.”
“We cannot allow the decline in exports to become permanent, as it would put entire production, economic and social systems in the region at risk.“.
