Rimini, January 17, 2025 – Starting tomorrow, Rimini Expo Centre will host the 46th edition of SIGEP World – The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence, organized by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG). The event confirms its role as the world’s leading hub for professional operators in artisanal gelato, pastry, chocolate, coffee, bakery, and pizza.
A Prestigious Opening Ceremony
The official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, January 18 at 11:30 AM at the Vision Plaza – South Hall, with high-profile speakers including:
- Francesco Lollobrigida, Italian Minister of Agriculture
- Maurizio Ermeti, President of Italian Exhibition Group
- Jamil Sadegholvaad, Mayor of Rimini
- Roberta Frisoni, Regional Tourism Councillor for Emilia-Romagna
- Lino Stoppani, President of FIPE (Italian Federation of Public Establishments)
SIGEP World 2025: Where Innovation Meets Business
With 138,000 square meters, 30 exhibition halls, and 1,300 brands, SIGEP World 2025 offers an unmatched opportunity to meet over 3,000 international buyers. This year’s Guest Country is Saudi Arabia, an increasingly strategic market for the hospitality and foodservice sectors.
Technology and the Future of Foodservice
This edition places a strong emphasis on emerging trends and innovation. The expo features an expanded and fully integrated showcase of all major foodservice supply chains, with pizza gaining even more prominence this year.
The newly launched SIGEP Vision aims to be a year-round trend observatory, offering insights and forecasts for businesses and professionals. Major partnerships with top research firms support this mission.
Among the highlights:
- Sustainability District – a new area promoting responsible practices in coffee and cocoa supply chains
- Taste of Tomorrow – a visionary project exploring the future of artisanal gelato
- Lorenzo Cagnoni Award for Innovation – celebrating startups and companies driving change through tech, sustainability, and smart packaging
A Global Business Platform for Foodservice
SIGEP World 2025 confirms its international reach with impressive numbers:
- Over 520 top buyers from 79 countries (including the USA, India, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, Southeast Asia, South America, and the Gulf region) participating through the Top Buyer Program
- 2,500+ buyers from 15 European countries expected under the Premium Program, with strong representation from Spain, Germany, and France
- 40 international events and 60+ global speakers, reinforcing SIGEP’s position as the beating heart of the foodservice industry
Artisanal Gelato, Pizza, and Bread on the Rise – Coffee Equipment Exports Booming
In 2024, the European artisanal gelato sector reached €11 billion, up 1% year-over-year. Italy leads the market with nearly €3 billion in revenue and 39,000 gelato shops. The trend is moving toward year-round operations, with over 40% of gelato parlors staying open all year and offering health-conscious options.
Pastry is also thriving, with expected growth of 4–5% in 2024, driven by seasonal baked goods like panettone (+7–10%). Italy’s 17,500 pastry shops are increasingly embracing sustainability, opting for local ingredients and eco-friendly packaging.
The pizza sector remains robust, with 2.7 billion pizzas baked annually in Italy alone. Pizza continues to be a favorite among families and younger generations. Meanwhile, bread consumption is rising by 1.5%, with a total market value of €13 billion. Consumer preferences are shifting toward healthy breads, such as whole grain, low glycemic, and ancient grain varieties.
Finally, Italian coffee shines on the global stage, with €2.3 billion in exports, making Italy the second-largest coffee exporter worldwide. Coffee machines are the real export champions, accounting for 75% of the sector’s turnover—a figure that continues to grow.
(Sources: UIF, ACOMAG, AIG, Confartigianato, Confesercenti, FIPE-Confcommercio, Demoskopea, ISTAT, TCI).