A Celebration of Global Gastronomy and Italian Excellence at Milan’s Fiera Pavilions, May 8-11

MILANO – With over 2,500 exhibitors from 46 countries worldwide, TuttoFood 2023 took place in its traditional May slot at Fiera Milano Rho in Milan. Among the participating companies, the two distinctive traits of territoriality and sustainability were ever-present and increasingly popular.

Interest from emerging markets is on the rise, with numerous foreign buyers arriving to connect with the 2,500 Italian and international brands present, including some first-time participants such as Saudi Arabia.

The event saw a return to the high attendance levels of its most popular editions, rewarding the significant efforts of the over 2,500 Italian and foreign brands present, all of whom brought innovative products to the table. From “black” buffalo mozzarella (made with activated charcoal) to “black” pasta (made from Venere rice), to hexagon-shaped pasta or vegan ragù, from water and flavored teas in brick packaging to red panettone, there was a plethora of original, creative, and health-conscious novelties ready to transform into numerous business opportunities.

Particularly interesting was the evolution and innovation in the plant-based food sector. The taste of the vegetable shrimp made from brown algae, chilled cod fillets, and frozen vegetable fish sticks, all soy-based, were surprisingly appealing. Still experimental but potentially explosive was the proposal of 100% plant-based smoked salmon following the success of vegetable tuna. Among other innovations presented by the distributor was the chicken breast from French company Umiami, marking a step forward in the segment with just six ingredients.

Of course, tradition was not forgotten with cheeses, meats, cold cuts, sweets, etc., providing a great opportunity to consider innovative and traditional pairings with fine wine.

At TuttoFood 2023, it became clear that the sector is set to grow, even by leveraging innovative channels such as e-commerce. As reported by Netcomm, in Italy alone in 2022, the number of online shoppers exceeded 33 million, an increase of over a third (+36.3%) compared to pre-pandemic figures. And there are as many as 1.39 million monthly in-store deliveries of products purchased online from the same retailer.

The next appointment is with TuttoFood from May 5th to 8th, 2025.