For companies distributing Italian products abroad, gelato remains a category worth watching closely. In the first eight months of 2025, Italian gelato exports reached 372.2 million euros, up from 313.2 million euros in the same period of 2024 (+18.8%). In some areas, growth has been particularly sharp, with +72% in Asia and +93.2% in the Middle East. Alongside finished products, Italy also exports ingredients, semi-finished products and equipment, supported by established know-how, reputation and the trust of international operators.
In today's agri-food market, telling the story of a quality Italian rice means more than simply referring to its origin or variety. What increasingly makes the difference is a recognizable supply chain, the consistency of the production method and the functional qualities that make the product appealing in professional use as well. In this sense, Riso Meracinque builds its identity around Carnaroli Classico, combining roots, the area's natural vocation and a farming approach shaped by innovation.
Sweets such as the Easter Dove Cake (Colomba di Pasqua) and Neapolitan Pastiera have firmly established themselves as iconic Italian products in international markets, driven by increasing demand. For distributors and importers, these desserts represent significant business opportunities, blending tradition, craftsmanship, and modern innovation. Italian Easter products are gaining popularity in both the retail and food service sectors, with offerings that range from traditional to innovative, tailored to the preferences of diverse markets, distribution channels, and consumer needs.
After years of rapid growth in vegetarian and vegan offerings, several foodservice operators are cutting back on underperforming items and placing meat dishes back at the center of the menu, especially because of their high protein content. Plant-based offerings are still growing, but increasingly on the basis of more informed and conscious consumer choices.
Mixology and ready-to-drink: how premium ingredients and wellness trends are also influencing retail
In 2026, the world of beverages and cocktails is being shaped by new consumption habits and is becoming a useful lens through which to observe the wider food industry. Among the most interesting emerging signals are fermentation, fine-dining ingredients applied to mixology, the use of infusions, the evolution of ready-to-drink formats, the "functional" trend, and a more authentic reinterpretation of venues as places for experience, food and social interaction.
In recent days, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an important update on the Food Traceability Rule, the section of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) focused on food traceability under Section 204, with more time now available for compliance. Below is an overview of the requirements, timeline and practical tools that matter for producers, brands and distributors across the supply chain.
For international buyers, importers and distributors, Italian dry-cured hams remain a high-interest product category because they combine strong perceived value, the recognizability of Made in Italy, and the opportunity to build assortments suited to different channels, from retail and deli counters to food service. In this context, Ferrarini complements its long-standing specialization in cooked ham with a range of aged dry-cured hams, built around tradition, consistent quality and commercial flexibility.
In the food sector, green packaging is no longer just a stated goal - it is increasingly a matter of concrete operational choices. Producers and distributors are looking for packaging solutions that can reduce environmental impact and align with circular economy principles, without compromising essential requirements such as stability, functionality and compatibility with production, storage and distribution processes.
Single-serve capsules are now widely used at home and across many food service businesses, but end-of-life management is still complex. This is mainly because capsules often combine multiple materials and contain organic coffee residues, which makes recycling harder. The new EU regulation (PPWR) aims to make packaging easier to collect and recycle, introducing shared rules on design, labeling, and producer responsibility.
The European Parliament has approved a new regulation that strengthens the fight against unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain when supplier-buyer relationships involve multiple countries. Specifically, we look at which behaviours are being addressed (from late payments to unilateral contract changes, through to promotions costs imposed without agreement) and what changes thanks to more coordinated investigations and checks among national authorities.
Finocchiona PGI, one of Tuscany's signature cured meats, surpassed one million stuffed pieces for the first time in 2025. This production milestone signals a product that is steadily consolidating its position in the market, supported by an offer increasingly focused on practical formats and by commercial activity that is paying closer attention to international markets.
When selecting new product references, what matters is strong relationships and a clear identity that meets the expectations of an evolving audience. Terre di Bruca reflects this approach through two clear choices. The first is its operating model, built on relationships with suppliers and customers, attention to detail, and a focus on trust and mutual respect. The second is the direction of the project: a mission centered on elegant, distinctive wines rooted in their territory, yet open to research, to connect with new generations of wine lovers, and create opportunities for international buyers.
TUTTOFOOD 2026: over 100,000 trade visitors expected, with a stronger focus on international markets
From May 11 to 14, 2026, TUTTOFOOD returns to Fiera Milano Rho with an even stronger international focus and a program designed to connect producers, distributors, buyers and foodservice professionals more directly. According to the official figures released by the organizers, the next edition aims to exceed 100,000 trade visitors and will feature a larger exhibition footprint, with themed areas dedicated to trends and the fastest-growing segments.
Wellness is no longer a niche topic in the food & beverage market: according to Circana, consumers with a consistent approach to health and diet quality account for about 40% of total sales in the sector. In economic terms, we are talking about $708 billion across retail and foodservice in the U.S.: $402 billion in retail (+2% vs the previous year) and $306 billion in foodservice (+8%), for an overall growth of about +5%.
In recent years, TikTok and other social platforms have become major accelerators of food trends: a piece of content can start in one country, be replicated in dozens of languages, and translate into real demand within days. For brands and distributors, social-driven trends are worth close attention: they can shape sales, sourcing, product development, and even risk management.
In the packaged ice cream sector, sustainability is a market driver that runs through the entire supply chain: from raw material choices and production technologies to packaging decisions. This shift directly affects operators in international markets, as consumer and retailer expectations worldwide are increasingly aligning around a few key criteria: transparency, lower environmental impact, recyclable materials, and attention to supply-chain practices.
- When time beats price: the rise of time-saving convenience in grocery
- Ferrarini: Italian cured meats and specialty foods since 1956. Opportunities for international buyers and distributors
- Next-generation ingredients: fermentation and formulation to deliver taste, function and reliable stability
- Food & beverage logistics: improving on-time performance, product integrity and cost efficiency. Optivo's solution for distributors
