Italy continues to shape the global food industry through quality, craftsmanship, and innovation. In 2024, Italy’s agri-food exports reached a record €68.5 billion, according to CREA, Italy’s Council for Agricultural Research and Economics.
After attending MHA and Seatrade Cruise Global, our Key Account Manager, Danay Proenza, traveled to Italy to explore new opportunities, strengthen supplier relationships, and better understand emerging food trends.
Attending TuttoFood Milan
TuttoFood Milan is recognized as one of the leading international food and beverage trade shows, bringing together suppliers, buyers, distributors, and industry professionals from around the world.
According to Danay, the event stood out for both its organization and business opportunities.
“I attended TuttoFood in Milan and found the show to be exceptional. It was extremely well organized and provided an excellent environment for networking and business development.”
Trade shows like TuttoFood play an important role in helping food distributors and sourcing companies stay informed about:
- Emerging food trends
- Packaging and branding innovations
- Consumer demand shifts
- Sustainable sourcing practices
For companies operating in cruise, hospitality, retail, and foodservice sectors, these insights help shape sourcing strategies and future product development.
Strengthening Supplier Relationships and Market Knowledge
One of the most valuable aspects of the trip was the opportunity to deepen relationships within the Italian food industry. Italy continues to be one of the most influential markets for premium food production.
Danay highlighted how the experience expanded her understanding of the Italian market and future collaboration opportunities.
“This trip gave me the opportunity to strengthen relationships with current partners, source new suppliers, and gain deeper insight into the Italian food market and emerging consumer trends.”
Building strong supplier relationships remains essential in today’s food industry, particularly as companies focus on transparency, traceability, and premium quality standards.
Learning at the Parmigiano Reggiano Academy
In addition to attending TuttoFood, Danay participated in a Parmigiano Reggiano Academy class, an educational experience centered around one of Italy’s most iconic products.
The class explored:
- The history of Parmigiano Reggiano
- Protected production standards
- Traditional craftsmanship methods
- Aging and maturation processes
- Quality grading distinctions
- Regional production requirements
This type of education offers valuable perspective for sourcing and procurement professionals who work with premium food categories.
“I attended a Parmigiano Reggiano Academy class, which provided valuable education on the history, production standards, aging process, and quality distinctions of Parmigiano Reggiano.”
Understanding the story behind products is increasingly important in today’s market. Buyers and consumers are placing greater value on authenticity, traceability, and products with strong heritage and production integrity.
Looking Ahead
Danay’s experience in Italy reinforced the value of combining industry networking with educational experiences and market exploration.
The knowledge gained through TuttoFood and the Parmigiano Reggiano Academy will continue supporting future sourcing opportunities, supplier collaboration, and product innovation efforts within the global food industry.
A special thank you to Parmigiano Reggiano for providing such an insightful and educational experience through this trip.
