MILAN, Italy – 2018 is set to be a record year for the digital food sector in Italy. For the very first time, the one-billion-euro threshold will be exceeded (1.1 billion euros), with a 34% increase in value compared to the 849-million-euro turnover in 2017. Qualitative growth that also comprises agro-food e-commerce and food delivery in terms of moving trends that have already been consolidated in physical retail stores online: from the gap between the lowest price and premium products to the growing attention being attributed to traceability, which finds the ideal application context in the digital world.
This is just some of the data derived from the latest B2C Observatory conducted by Netcomm and the Polytechnic University of Milan, and presented today as part of Netcomm Focus Food: for TUTTOFOOD, partner of the event, this also represents an opportunity to present the current progress ahead of the next edition – at fieramilano from 6 to 9 May 2019 – as an experience that goes well beyond the exhibition itself to accompany the operators in their business undertakings throughout the year.
Wine makes its debut, retail experiences growth
One of the most exciting new developments at TUTTOFOOD 2019 will almost certainly be TUTTOWINE, an original and innovative format that will present business opportunities, specifically in the wine sector, to a target audience of Italian and international professionals in a dedicated area organised in partnership with the UIV – Italian Wine Union. The event will take place in the broader context of an exhibition that makes the co-existence of diverse food & beverage sectors one of its main strengths.
Growth for the revamped and reinforced Retail Plaza. The innovative retail arena is re-proposed in a more articulated format that gives a voice to the exhibition market alongside that of both Italian and international retailers, with data partner Nielsen and various mass retail partners, including Amazon, Carrefour, Gruppo Végé, Eataly, Easy Coop, Iper, Unes with Il Viaggiator Goloso and Metro. Organised into workshops, conferences, in-store events and round-table discussions, the new 2018-2019 project is also aimed at consumers, in addition to the business community, thanks to storytelling activities that engagingly make trade the protagonist for a varied audience, with the addition of introductory events throughout the course of the year.
Official recognition from the USA
Moreover, the upcoming edition will see the USA Pavilion receive the official endorsement of the USDA (US Department of Agriculture) for the very first time. Issued in accordance with stringent requirements in terms of creating business opportunities, this acknowledgement represents real confirmation of the growing importance of TUTTOFOOD as an international hub, thanks to its remarkable ability to bring suppliers and customers together in a targeted fashion and anticipate market scenarios and consumer trends. TUTTOFOOD therefore becomes the first, and currently the only, USDA-certified agro-food event in Italy.
In regard to the event’s international dimension, 1,100 companies have already registered to take part, with six months still to go before the cutting of the ribbon. Of these businesses, one in every twelve hails from abroad, with many of the most dynamic countries in terms of agro-food trade being represented, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Iran, the Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan and Turkey.
Furthermore, exhibitors from the following countries will also be present: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, Ecuador, Japan, India, Kosovo, Morocco, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Tunisia, Vietnam and the United States. Fruit Innovation, the event taking part simultaneously and dedicated to fresh produce, will see the participation of companies and collectives from Cameroon, Canada, China, France, Germany and Spain, in addition to Italy.
The digital transformation steals the show at TUTTOFOOD 2019
In relation to content, the central role played by the digital transformation is increasingly in the spotlight, even in the agro-food sector, and will have its own dedicated space at the next edition: TUTTODIGITAL, positioned in hall 10, will be a ‘digital village’ to all intents and purposes and the ideal stage, in particular for start-ups, to present the most innovative technological food & beverage proposals in terms of e-commerce, original apps and the provision of cutting-edge services. The aim of TUTTODIGITAL is to provide digital players with the opportunity to meet with a substantial number of Italian and international sector-specific stakeholders, from companies to opinion leaders and the specialised media.
Fiera Milano and TUTTOFOOD have also renewed their alliance with the Netcomm Consortium until 2021: in collaboration with Digital Events, technological innovation and social eating in a business context will be the key topics of the next FOCUS FOOD, set to take place, as always, in November, where the themes of today’s meeting will be up for in-depth discussion once more.
The overview of the most technological solutions will be completed by Seeds&Chips – The Global Food Innovation Summit, which in 2019, will be taking place simultaneously alongside TUTTOFOOD at fieramilano, and will, as is tradition, host high-profile institutional speakers, experts and young talent, with discussions on topics ranging from smart nutrition and precision agriculture to solutions for the circular economy, sustainability and the role of technology in gourmet cuisine.
A business platform and an unbeatable trendsetter
From the ‘new’ natural and functional foods to novel food and agri-food 4.0, intended to reclaim local identities and traditions, TUTTOFOOD confirms and strengthens its role as a trendsetter, becoming an unmissable event for international professionals the world over.
What’s more, the 2019 edition will benefit from a more effective and engaging exhibition layout. Italian and international exhibitors will grow together in the pursuit of quality, showcasing their authentic premium-quality products in two new areas: TUTTOREGIONAL and TUTTOWORLD. TUTTODRINK, TUTTOSEAFOOD, TUTTOFROZEN, TUTTOPASTA, TUTTOBAKERY and TUTTOGREEN will place other food sectors under the spotlight, with a focus primarily on authenticity and protection of brands and designation of origin products. The most dynamic of sectors include TUTTOGROCERY, TUTTOSWEET and TUTTODAIRY.
As always, there will be a significant focus on training, information and professional growth, with themed Academies for various different sectors, including, Multi-Product, HoReCa, Meat & Cured Meat and Dairy. Last but not least, it should be noted that TUTTOFOOD will once again be one of Milano Food City’s main partners in 2019; the week dedicated to top-notch food will take place from 2 to 9 May simultaneously alongside the fair, involving operators, enthusiasts, tourists and locals with a series of events in some of the city’s most captivating locations. TUTTOFOOD, as is customary, will be contributing with an events schedule designed specially to enable the end user to endearingly experience the exhibitors’ most original and innovative offerings first-hand.
The seventh edition of TUTTOFOOD will take place at fieramilano from 6 to 9 May 2019.
For further information: www.tuttofood.it, @TuttoFoodMilano.
