Italy’s €344M Food Boom.. Italian Food Lab Brings Culinary Excellence to Gulfood 2025
Masterclasses, Live Cooking, and a Celebration of Italy’s UNESCO-Candidate Cuisine at Gulfood 2025
Dubai, UAE – 14 February 2025
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) is proud to announce its participation in Gulfood 2025, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition. Showcasing the essence of Italian culinary heritage and innovation, ITA will present the Italian Food Lab, a dedicated space designed to celebrate the finest Italian gastronomy through engaging masterclasses and live cooking shows.
The Italian Food Lab will offer visitors an immersive experience led by some of the most esteemed Italian chefs based in Dubai and around the world. These experts will demonstrate the art of Italian cuisine, preparing signature dishes using premium ingredients from a selection of companies exhibiting at Gulfood. Through these sessions, attendees will gain insight into the techniques, traditions, and excellence that define Made in Italy products.
The UAE remains a key market for Italian exports, with a remarkable 6% growth in the first ten months of 2024, bringing the total to approximately €344 million. This surge highlights the increasing demand for Italian products in the region and reflects Italy’s strong reputation for quality and innovation. Italy currently ranks 17th among global exporting countries, a testament to its competitive edge on the international stage.
Italy’s top exports to the UAE reflect the growing demand for high-quality Italian products, showcasing the country’s strong presence in the market. Among these, beverages, alcoholic liquids, and vinegar have seen remarkable growth, with a 32% increase that brought exports to approximately €29 million, securing Italy’s position as the 6th largest exporter in this category. This rising preference for Italian beverages underscores their reputation for quality and craftsmanship. Likewise, bakery products have witnessed a 23% rise, amounting to around €55 million in exports, making Italy the 4th largest exporter to the UAE. This surge highlights the enduring appeal of traditional Italian baked goods and their versatility in global markets. Meanwhile, milk and dairy products experienced the most significant growth, soaring by 36% to reach approximately €30 million. This rapid increase not only emphasises Italy’s commitment to dairy excellence but also reinforces its status as a trusted supplier of premium food and beverage products worldwide.
“Italian food is synonymous with culture, heritage and a healthy Mediterranean diet. Everywhere in the UAE, people can taste the best of Italian cuisine and food products, thanks to a vibrant network of Italian restaurants, chefs and importers. We want to expand the presence of Italian food in the UAE and there is no place like Gulfood to do that. We look forward to a successful exhibition, sharing some of the best Italian food companies and culinary products” said Lorenzo Fanara, The Ambassador of Italy to the UAE.
Italy’s rich gastronomic heritage is further underscored by the country’s official candidacy of Italian cuisine for inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition would solidify Italy’s culinary traditions as a vital cultural asset, celebrated worldwide for its deep-rooted history, craftsmanship, and influence on global gastronomy.
Valerio Soldani, Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE, added, “The UAE is a strategic partner for Italy, and the steady growth in exports reflects the strength of our trade relations. With a 36% increase in dairy exports, a 32% surge in beverages, and a 23% rise in bakery products, Italy continues to solidify its presence in the region. We are delighted to return to Gulfood 2025, where the Italian Food Lab will offer a dynamic space to engage with industry professionals and showcase the exceptional quality of Italian food and beverage products. An unparalleled quality of the food which resonates with the demand of local customers to get premium ingredients and genuine products matching the trend towards healthy lifestyles”
Visitors to Gulfood 2025 are invited to explore the Italian Food Lab, where they can experience firsthand the passion, expertise, and authenticity that make Italian cuisine a global icon.
