Italian-made pasta will remain on US shelves for now after the Commerce Department late last week backed off threats to impose would-be crippling tariffs on 13 imported brands, including La Molisana, Pastificio Lucio Garofalo and Barilla, as a penalty for alleged trade violations.
In September, the US Commerce Department proposed a stunningly severe 91.74% duty on 13 of Italy’s main pasta exporters for allegedly selling their products below market value in an attempt to undercut domestic competitors.
The anti-dumping rates proposed for the preliminary findings far exceeded previous penalties for similar allegations and, when paired with a blanket tariff of 15% imposed by the Trump administration on European goods, would have far exceeded the value of the pasta.
In the initial report, the US Commerce Department alleged that La Molisana and Garofalo did not sufficiently cooperate during the investigation – an assessment both companies immediately contested. The companies also indicated that if the penalties, originally slated for as early as January, went into effect they likely would pull out of the US market because the profit margins would be too tight.
The Italian government endorsed these arguments in an “ad adiuvandum” defense brief submitted through the Embassy of Italy in Washington alongside a similar brief filed by the European Commission. The controversial assessment and response threatened to strain diplomatic relations between the US and Italy, which enjoy a close relationship.
In response, La Molisana and Garofalo provided the US Commerce Department with additional information that prompted the department to revise its assessment on Dec. 31, according to the Italian Ministry.
The Trade Administration now proposes anti-dumping margins of 13.89% on Garofalo, 2.26% on La Molisana and 9.09% on the other 11 companies, including Barilla.
“The companies concerned now have the option, should they wish, to submit further observations regarding the announced measures,” which will remain suspended until the investigation is concluded, the Italian Ministry added.
The measures will remain suspended until the US Commerce Department concludes its investigation and publishes its final report, which is due by March 11.
Is pasta’s comeback under threat?
The investigation and threatened penalties come after a push by some imported Italian brands to boost US sales by promoting their products as premium and offering unique shapes for “sauceability” and enhanced nutrition – such as added protein.
For example, last summer, Garofalo debuted new packaging for the US market with an in-your-face claim of “Real Italian Carbs” and its use of 100% premium durum wheat semolina that is never bleached or enriched and, therefore, the company says, does not cause bloating or stomachaches like some US-made options.
Garofalo also introduced new high-protein pasta in the fall and a line of frozen pasta that can be prepared in five minutes for an elevated at-home eating experience.
Similarly, Tirrena uses unique grain varietals for what it describes as “very good” nutritional value and a different taste, aroma and chew.
Finally, Rustichella d’Abruzzo promotes its imported pasta as having a rougher texture that “attracts the sauce perfectly,” the company’s group manager Piero Peduzzi said in a previous episode of FoodNavigator-USA’s Soup-To-Nuts podcast.
Affordability fears influence pasta sales and US tariffs
Innovations and premium positioning, like that promoted by Garofalo and Rustichella d’Abruzzo, are helping pasta sales in the US rebound after years of criticism from low-carb and gluten-free diet trends.
Statista estimates pasta sales in the US will reach about $9.73 billion in 2025, which is up about 5.2% from the year before. It predicts a compound annual growth rate of 7.96%.
Pasta also could see a boost in sales and volumes thanks to its budget-friendly staple status, which is increasingly important to consumers grappling with higher prices across the board amid broad tariff increases.
Frustrated by higher prices, many consumers, brands and retailers have pushed back against tariffs – prompting the Trump administration to make some carveouts for foods and ingredients that cannot be produced or grown in the US, including coffee, beef and cocoa.
