PASTA AND WINE DUTIES: FRANCO MORANDO (MONTALBERA), 'PHYSIOLOGICAL DECLINE IN EXPORTS, BUT TERRITORIAL EXCELLENCE WILL SAVE OUR BRANDS'

After wine, now it's pasta's turn: the US administration is preparing to impose 107% tariffs on Italian pasta starting in January 2026. Like the recently announced US tariffs on pasta, "tariffs on wine undoubtedly represent a significant challenge for the entire Italian agri-food sector, and Piedmont is no exception. Initial data show a decline in wine exports to the United States, which is worrying, but we believe it's still too early to talk about a definitive scenario. These dynamics often reflect a phase of readjustment: importers, faced with the uncertainty of the new tariff rules, tend to slow down orders to sell off stocks and test the market." This was stated by Franco Morando, General Manager of Montalbera , an estate that extends between the Monferrato and Langa regions of Piedmont, a benchmark for the region's excellent wines, commenting on the new tariffs announced on pasta and the drop in wine exports to the US recorded in July (-26%) according to UIV data. "Great Piedmontese wines," continues Morando, "are made from native grape varieties that can only be grown in specific places: this territoriality is an integral part of their value. From Ruchè to Grignolino to Barbera, our labels represent a heritage of identity that American consumers know and appreciate. Our task is to protect this uniqueness by continuing to invest in quality, promotion, and commercial relationships. Even in a complex context, we believe the strength and authenticity of Italian wines can emerge: every challenge can be transformed into an opportunity to strengthen our presence in alternative markets, decisively opening ourselves to emerging markets (such as Asia) while simultaneously maintaining an active presence in the US." "It is important to emphasize," continues Franco Morando, "that the situation is not yet settled: negotiations on tariffs are far from over, and could hold favorable surprises for our sector. We must maintain trust and vigilance, continuing to work in synergy with institutions and commercial partners to seize any openings. History teaches us that excellence rooted in a territory cannot be erased by a temporary tariff." Vision, adaptation and determination are needed: values that Piedmont and its wines have always been able to interpret", concludes Franco Morando, General Manager of the Montalbera estate.