The victory at the Europeans could give us 12 billion euros of GDP more, argues Coldiretti. And maybe even an increase in exports close to 10%, just as happened when Italy won the World Cup in Germany in 2006. This was also confirmed by the president of the FIGC, Gabriele Gravina, to Prime Minister Mario Draghi who yesterday received the Azzurri at Palazzo Chigi: “All major research estimates the impact of yesterday’s victory at 0.7% of GDP.”
These predictions are based on the theory that every great sporting victory generates a positive effect that increases a country’s international prestige. After the victory of the Azzurri in 2006, for example, the data tell us that the national economy has grown in a sustained way, with a record increase of 4.1% of GDP at current values. Is it really so? “There is no doubt that there will be a certain confidence effect, at least in the short term,” says Alessandro Terzulli, chief economist of Sace. A trust that will benefit above all the made in Italy agri-food sector: «I expect a recovery of the Horeca channel and of all products, from food to wine to spirits, which are consumed outside. This effect on consumption will not only affect Italians, now more inclined to find themselves out and celebrate, but also some of the countries where Made in Italy is most appreciated. A little will be the effect of the reopening, with foreigners returning to our country. And some of it will be due to consumption abroad: Italy won the European Championships, why not choose an Italian restaurant to go to dinner? ».
The comparisons with Germany 2006, however, could be misleading: «It is well known that a major sporting event has positive repercussions on the GDP of the country that organizes it – explains Terzulli – the economic tail on who wins the competition is less clear. In 2006, Germany was our first export market: a large part of the growth of Made in Italy that year is due to the increase in German domestic consumption ». In short, the Azzurri’s victory at the World Championships was perhaps not the most important factor for us, while the increase in demand from Germany certainly had a weight. Better this way: it is difficult for the English, scalded by Italy, to now throw themselves headlong into eating Italian. “In addition, in this case there is also the Brexit variable to complicate things”, remembers Terzulli.
Micaela Cappellini
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