Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** This article examines the striking divergence in Arezzo’s export economy during the first quarter of 2026, where a surge in precious metals exports contrasts sharply with a decline in the jewelry sector. The data underscores growing concerns that have prompted calls for an institutional crisis table to secure extraordinary support and social safety net waivers.
Precious Metals Export Soars, Jewelry Plunges: All Data on Arezzo’s Economy
Concern has prompted the request and activation of an institutional crisis table, aiming to secure extraordinary resources and a waiver of time limits for the sector’s social safety nets.
Redazione
June 12, 2026 18:00
In the first quarter of 2026, exports from the province of Arezzo totaled €7.574 billion, an increase of 92.2% compared to the same period in 2025, when the figure stood at just over €3.9 billion.
The overall positive change is driven almost entirely by the precious metals sector, which recorded a growth of 237.7%, rising from €1.8 billion to nearly €6.1 billion. In contrast, the jewelry and costume jewelry sector showed a contraction of 49.4%, with exports falling to €720.6 million. This decline reflects international geopolitical tensions and the volatility of gold prices. In the first three months of the year, the average price of the precious metal increased by +53% in euros and +70% in dollars compared to the same period in 2025.
Regarding destination markets, the Arezzo district is seeing a reduction in some traditional Asian channels. The United Arab Emirates remain in first place by value, but recorded a decline of -39.0%, with a value of €127.2 million. Obviously, subsequent quarters will be heavily influenced by the conflict between the US and Israel against Iran, which broke out on February 28. Turkey follows, reaching €116 million with an increase of +9.7% compared to the same period last year, though still far from the values of the first quarter of 2024, when exports, especially of semi-finished products, exceeded €1.1 billion. The United States ranks third, reaching €80 million with a growth of +5.8%. Just below is France, where Arezzo’s exports increased by +8.9%, reaching a value of €59 million. Finally, Hong Kong, after the volumes recorded in the first three months of last year, shows a decline of -92.1%, falling to a total value of €52 million. In contrast to Arezzo, the other two national production hubs show stable or sharply contrasting dynamics: the Vicenza district closed the quarter substantially balanced at €651 million, thanks to growth in the US market offsetting the slowdown in the UAE, while the Alessandria hub recorded a significant increase of +55.7%, rising to a total of €647 million, driven almost entirely by the surge in direct sales to Switzerland. Nationally, a contraction of -14.2% was recorded, with a value of €2.81 billion, entirely caused by the sharp decline in our district.
Excluding both the jewelry and precious metals components, the net total of provincial exports still grew by 6.7%, reaching €759.5 million. The fashion sector held up well, with an overall growth of 17.2%, exceeding €205 million. Within it, clothing rose by 28.7% to €105.2 million, and footwear grew by 21.8% to €49.2 million. These results offset slight declines in textiles (-3.9%, €6.5 million) and leather goods (-4.1%, €44.6 million). Among growing sectors, the main item is electrical equipment (+10.4%, over €110 million), followed by computers and electronics (+17.5%, €60.6 million) and food (+8.9%, nearly €45 million). In contrast, the sharpest contraction hit chemicals, down 16.2% (to €86 million). Also declining were machinery (-5.2%, €52.2 million), pharmaceuticals (-15.2%, €19.3 million), and furniture, which recorded a sharp drop of 32.8%.
