With just under 15 months to go before the ribbon is cut, preparations are already underway at HostMilano, the professional hospitality event organised by Fiera Milano and we look at why the 41st edition of the event will maximise business opportunities for the industry.
975 companies have already confirmed their participation for the event, 46% of which come from over 40 foreign countries. The most represented countries include Germany (16%), Spain (14%), France (9%), the US (8.2%) and the UK (6%). In terms of macro-areas, professional catering, bread, pizza, and pasta accounts for 48% of all exhibitors, while bar, coffee machines, vending machines, ice cream, pastry shops, and coffee and tea represent 23%. Tableware, furnishings, and technology accounts for the remaining 18%.
In partnership with the ITA Agency, the exhibition aims to bring more than 1,500 buyers from 80 different countries to HostMilano 2019, with a high turnover rate of 80%, and a focus on particular markets such as the US, Canada, the Middle East, UAE, China, and Russia. Significant stops on the promotional tour include Mexico City, Dubai, Lima, Munich, Moscow, Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Orlando in addition to a number of Italian cities.
According to Host Observatory world trade in Professional Catering Machinery, Equipment and Accessories, in 2017 was worth €52.8 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1% from 2009-2017. An additional 3.8% annual increase is expected between now and 2021. With more than €3.54 billion by value and a market share of 6.7% of world exports, Italy is the third-biggest exporter in the industry, after China (€19.08 billion, 36%) and Germany (€4.22 billion, 8%), but ahead of the US (€2.76 billion, 5.2%) and France (€1.67 billion, 3.2%). The biggest importers are the US (€9.08 billion, 17.2%), Germany (€3.93 billion, 7.4%) and France (€2.26, 4.3%), while the principal destinations for Italian products are France (€457 million), Germany (€395 million) and the UK (€183 million).
In detail, world trade in the vending sector is worth €870.6 million and is expected to grow 2.1% between now and 2021. Italy is well ahead of the pack in this sector, with exports worth €292.5 million and a market share of about 33.6%.
Lastly, world trade in the home furnishings, tableware sector was worth €165.8 billion in 2017 and grew at an annual rate of 5.3% in the years 2009-2017. It will continue to grow between 2018 and 2021, registering a rate of 3.5% per year. Italy is the world’s fourth largest exporter, with a value of €6.9 billion and a market share of 4.2%, confirming a vocation targeting the high end of the market rather than mass production.
The most recent figures from ANIMA, the industrial association representing the mechanical industry, which includes Assofoodtec, a pole for manufacturers of machinery and equipment for food and hospitality, confirm the positive trend in the year 2018. Production (2.7%), exports (2.9%) and investment (8.2%) are all growing. The value of production is expected to reach €48.74 billion this year, while exports will be worth €29.65 billion. The USA is the top export market, growing another 6.7% in 2017. Italy’s exports to North America are worth €3.18 billion. China is growing at double digit rates and was up 19.6% last year to pass the €1 billion milestone, while Russia is also on the upswing, with a growth rate of 24.8% in 2017, up to €895 million. Investment was particularly strong in food technologies in 2018, growing at the rate of more than 7%.
The packed edition of HostMilano boasts a programme of at least 500 workshops, presentations of figures and studies, tastings, educational initiatives, and competitions. The fair becomes a multisensorial experience with presentations at corporate stands and cooking shows by award-winning chefs, creative offerings of pastry chefs and cake designers, and performances by baristas and bartenders.
To know more about the event visit: www.host.fieramilano.it
