Analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 on selected categories of goods passing through the ports of Genoa and Savona, Italy

•The paper analyses how COVID-19 pandemic has affected some selected Italian supply chains.•Customs and ports data related to Ligurian ports were analyzed, and surveys were conducted.•The Italian Fruit, automotive and machinery supply chains are studied.•Mitigation strategies adopted by the chosen supply chains during and after the COVID-19 lockdown are investigated.•Policy indications are provided to increase the resilience of the selected supply chains.