The 46th edition of SIGEP WORLD, the largest ever, has been inaugurated

The 46th edition of SIGEP WORLD – The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence, the global reference event for the gelato, pastry, bakery, coffee, chocolate, and pizza sectors, was inaugurated this morning at the Rimini Exhibition Centre. With an exhibition area of 138,000 square meters, 1,300 exhibiting brands, and over 3,000 international buyers, SIGEP WORLD confirms itself as the largest edition ever, solidifying the event's global leadership in the foodservice sector.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was entrusted to the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry, Francesco Lollobrigida, who emphasized the importance of boosting exports and affirming Italian leadership in these key sectors. “Investing in Italian excellence means enhancing the competitiveness of our companies and promoting our agri-food model, one of the economic pillars of the Italian System,” said the Minister.

A Continuously Growing Event

The President of Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), Maurizio Ermeti, highlighted the long history of the event, which began in 1980 with just 180 exhibitors. “Today, SIGEP WORLD is an international fair that places Rimini at the centre of a global network. We have brought our event to Asia and China, and we will continue to grow,” said Ermeti. Among the new features of this edition is the Guest Country project, which each year will highlight a partner country. This year, Saudi Arabia takes center stage, represented by a large delegation of institutions and buyers.

A Hub of Innovation and Culture

SIGEP WORLD is no longer just a fair but a true hub for professional culture and sector innovation. With the investment in the SIGEP Vision observatory, the event aims to provide research and tools to support industrial and artisanal supply chains, promoting the constant development of Italian excellence.

Support from Institutions and Industry

The Mayor of Rimini, Jamil Sadegholvaad, emphasized the strategic value of the event for the city and the region. “SIGEP WORLD combines the excellence of Italian craftsmanship with top-notch organization, promoting Rimini as a global reference point,” he stated. Emilia-Romagna’s Regional Tourism Councillor, Roberta Frisoni, also stressed the importance of the event in showcasing the work and products of the region’s agri-food network.

Lino Stoppani, President of the Italian Federation of Public Businesses (FIPE), highlighted the central role of the confectionery sector, with Italian gelato representing 30% of the global market. “SIGEP allows us to appreciate the complexity and richness of production chains,” Stoppani noted.

Record Numbers for the Confectionery Industry

Matteo Zoppas, President of the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), presented impressive figures: the Italian confectionery sector achieved a turnover of €9.3 billion in 2023, a 9% growth compared to the previous year. From January to October 2024, €8.7 billion was already recorded, marking a 14.5% increase over 2023. ICE organized the participation of 74 buyers from strategic countries such as the United States, Australia, China, and Japan, further reinforcing the international dimension of the event.

Saudi Arabia Guest Country

A distinctive feature of this edition is the presence of Saudi Arabia as Guest Country. The country, which will host Expo 2030, is emerging as a strategic market in the hospitality and catering sector. For this reason, and thanks to its economic growth and the demand for innovative technologies, SIGEP WORLD offers host companies and exhibiting brands a unique opportunity to build partnerships with key players in the Saudi market. A delegation of top Saudi Arabian buyers, including big names such as Barn's, a coffee shop chain with over 800 outlets, Elite Hospitality/Al-Nahla Group, one of the leading hospitality companies, and Al Tazaj, a quick service restaurant chain with more than 120 venues, enriches the event, opening up new perspectives for the global Foodservice industry.