(Finance) – It kicks off this morning SIGEP 2023also known internationally as “The Sweet World Expo” for the international scope that this huge Rimini event has come to assume over the years. There were many visitors, even from abroadfor an event that is targeted to the world of ho.re.ca. and out-of-hometwo sectors that have a certain weight on the Italian economy and are the full expression of the Made in Italy welcome.
The sectors of the pastries, homemade ice cream, chocolate, coffee, bakery and bakery products, but also the whole industry behind it: from products and machinery for professinals to the innovations proposed by the world of technology.
The 44th International Exhibition some dessert will start today, 21 January 2023 at the Rimini Fairmanaged by Italian Exhibition Groupto conclude next Wednesday 25 January. It will take place simultaneously AB Tech Expo, the international exhibition of technologies and products for baking. At the ribbon cutting this morning Lorenzo Cagnonipresident of IEG, together with Emma PetittiPresident of the Legislative Assembly of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Jamil Sadegholvaadmayor of Rimini, e Charles Sangallipresident of Confcommercio.
Plenty of room for technology with AB Tech Expo and the Star-Up Area
For an event that also includes the AB Tech Expo a high-tech immersion in the world of ho.re.ca and hospitality could not be missing. It will be possible to visit the Start Up Area and a path dedicated to the best innovative food service companies.
From the Nutras of Macerata who brings a “pill” to the fair to make lactose digested by those who are intolerant to the compostable coffee pods created by Compopack of Ozzano dell’Emiliawithout neglecting the easylivery, which uses QR code-based technology to manage orders and payments via smartphone and send the digital receipt/invoice directly to the Revenue Agency. But there is also Lokkya company that offers fully digital insurance brokerage advice to professionals in the sector.
For some years now, IEG has been looking at digital with increasing interest and, for this fair, is presenting the‘TEO app – The Eating Out Hubthanks to which it will be possible to forward appointment requests to exhibitors and set up informational videoconferences.
The digital platform of the Rimini Foera will also allow international buyers, who cannot physically participate, to connect remotely.
Boom in attendance and international vocation
Over the years, the sweet & savory fair has taken on a strong international vocation and has become a highly anticipated event by the whole world of sweet food service, ho.re.ca. Present more than 1,000 exhibitors from 34 countriesto occupy all 28 pavilions on over 130,000 square meters of exhibition space.
Thanks to the collaboration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the ICE Agency, they are estimated 450 top buyers from 78 countries of the world, including India, USA, Canada, Gulf Area, Egypt and Israel. And again, France, Germany, Spain, Romania, Greece, Slovenia, Great Britain, Belgium, Croatia, Switzerland, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
The attendance this year they are “absolutely in line with expectationsi.e. very successful,” he explains Flavia MorelliGroup Exhibition Manager Food&Beverage Division of IEG, in an interview given to Finance.
“Sigep is the leading B2B event for the whole professional world of bars, pastry shops, ice cream parlors, restaurants, etc. – underlined the manager – It is the essential appointment for discover the latest news, innovations and trends of the sweet food service: raw materials and ingredients, machinery and equipment, furnishings, packaging and services. But also a unique meeting place to talk to companies and professionals, to discuss sector scenarios. In short, an opportunity for business, networking, professional updating and sharing not to be missed”.
More than a fair… a community!
The kermesse is much more than an international catwalk, but is increasingly configured as a community catalyst capable of attracting the attention of all operators in the sector. 6 Arenas have been set up: Dolce, Gelato, Pastry, Choco, Bakery and Coffee, to which are added the Start-Up Area, Digital Talks and the Vision Plazaand the 20 event spaces managed by industry associations.
Very busy schedule: I’m on schedule at least a hundred talks involving 200 speakers (50 international) and more than 20 competitions in addition to the over 1,000 events organized by exhibitors.
“We will talk – explains Morelli – of supply chain trends and market strategies of different countries of the world. A continuous alternation of relevant and educational events, in the presence of the great world masters”.
“The strength of Sigep – continues the IEG manager – lies precisely in its ability to promote significant synergies between the supply chains it represents, making the system and its culture grow, creating new solutions and lasting business opportunities, which distinguish us worldwide”.
The new trends that characterize the food service
“The new lifestyles outline a more accentuated sensitivity on sustainability issues, on the importance ofconsumer experience which passes from the awareness of what is being tasted, its quality, in welcoming and pleasant environments, with accurate design forms, the accessibility and variety of services offered also acquire value”, underlines Morelli.
“The consumer wants the right and beautiful products, inserted in a recognizable supply chain. And then lots of exports for our businesses and training for young talent”.
Some numbers
The Italian food and confectionery supply chains are all in excellent healthdespite the context of uncertainty that characterized 2022, which was in any case a year of recovery for the Italian and international economy.
“The Homemade ice cream saw its turnover grow by 16% compared to 2021, reaching 2.7 billion between ice cream shops, pastry shops and bars with ice cream (it was 2.3 billion in 2021 and 1.85 billion in 2020). Also there pastry shop – recalls the manager of IEG – seems to confirm that living “La dolce vita” remains an Italian prerogative, especially during the holidays”.
“Good chocolate: in the first half of 2022 sales increased by 7.2% compared to the same period of 2021, for a value of 882.7 million euros. The bread market is stable, which moves just under one and a half million tons of product in Italy, with 84.9% of consumers turning to the baker almost every day. The Finally, coffee remains one of the most popular beverages; according to the European Coffee Report, 95% of the population of Italy habitually takes it”.
For exports it is an analysis by Coldiretti on Istat data to give us a dimension of the value of the “sweet” Made in Italy, which has reached a record value of 9 billion in 2022 with one 16% growth. The main market is nearby Francewhere purchases of sweets grew by 12% to represent about a seventh of total exports, closely followed by Germany (+13%) while in third place there are the United States where, however, the most notable increase was recorded, with a leap of 30%. But ice creams, desserts, coffee and chocolate conquer even the English (+11%) to the Spanish (+20%), come on Chinese (+17%) ai Japanese (+13%) testifying to a popularity that knows no bounds.
Between the individual compartments the best performance comes from coffee posting 28% growth followed by ice cream – continues Coldiretti – with an increase of 18%, but also pastry (+16%) which represents the main item of confectionary exports and chocolate (+11%).
“Despite the increase in energy costs and raw materials, the Italian confectionery art – underlines Coldiretti – conquers foreign markets driven by the desire for quality that the Italian production guarantees”.