Italy is preparing to boost its food exports to the UAE in 2025, aiming for growth exceeding 10 percent compared to the previous year, said Matteo Zoppas, President of the Italian Trade Agency. Zoppas said that beverages, baked goods, and dairy products recorded the highest growth rates in 2024, increasing by an average of 30 percent.
He also highlighted that Italian companies are gearing up to introduce new organic and health-focused products, in response to evolving consumer trends in the region.
Italy targets €100 billion in global food exports
Speaking to WAM on the sidelines of Gulfood 2025, Zoppas noted that Italian food exports to the UAE grew by 6 percent in 2024, and are expected to continue rising in 2025, driven by the strong demand for premium and sustainable Italian products. Italy is participating in Gulfood 2025 with a pavilion featuring more than 200 companies, reflecting its growing commitment to the UAE and Middle Eastern markets.
The Italian government, in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency, has launched financial and logistical support programs to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand into international markets, particularly in the Gulf region. Zoppas emphasized that the UAE serves as a key gateway to broader markets.
He added that Italy aims to increase its total global food exports from €70 billion in 2024 to €100 billion in the coming years, with a particular focus on strategic markets like the UAE, which imports 85 percent of its food requirements.
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Italian businesses seek UAE expansion
The UAE and Italy have recently partnered in key growth areas including cross-border green energy and financial and economic crimes. As this cooperation grows, Italian companies are increasingly seeking to expand their presence in the UAE, a key regional and global business hub, with over 600 Italian firms already established here.
“Italian companies significantly contribute to the UAE by delivering cutting-edge technologies that foster innovation. They are enhancing cooperation with local businesses to offer innovative and sustainable solutions across various industries,” stated Valerio Soldani, the Italian Trade Commissioner to the UAE, at ADIPEC 2024.
He noted that technology constitutes a major part of Italy’s exports to the UAE. He added that Italian companies are seeking to boost their exports to the UAE to reach $8 billion by the end of 2024, thus achieving a record level in terms of exporting ‘Made in Italy’ industries to the UAE.
Italian exports to the UAE grew rapidly in 2023, reaching $7 billion, representing a 10.4 percent year-on-year increase in total exports to the country. In the first seven months of 2024, they grew by 22 percent annually, mostly in the areas of technology, luxury and consumer goods.
