SIGEP World, one of Italy’s leading international trade exhibitions, is preparing to open its doors for the 48th edition in Rimini from January 23–27, 2027. Bringing together the bakery, pastry, chocolate, gelato, coffee and pizza sectors, the event was presented at a special gathering in Istanbul, where growing trade relations between Türkiye and Italy and new opportunities for international cooperation took center stage.
SIGEP World, one of the leading international meeting points for the global foodservice and gastronomy industries, continues its international promotional activities ahead of its 2027 edition. Organized by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the exhibition was officially presented in Istanbul at a special event hosted by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) at Eataly Zorlu Center on October 26.
The gathering brought together prominent representatives of the Turkish and Italian gastronomy, bakery, pastry and foodservice industries. Discussions focused on SIGEP World’s international growth strategy, opportunities to access new markets and the potential for stronger commercial cooperation between the two countries.
The event welcomed distributors, importers, restaurant and café operators, as well as professionals from the production technology and supply chain sectors. Guests also enjoyed a selection of Italian specialties specially prepared for the occasion by renowned Italian chef Claudio Chinali.
A global meeting point for bakery and pastry technologies
Scheduled to take place from January 23–27, 2027, at the Rimini Expo Centre in Italy, SIGEP World – The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence will welcome international industry professionals for its 48th edition.
Focusing on five core sectors—artisan gelato, pastry, bakery, coffee and pizza—the exhibition covers an extensive value chain, from ingredients and advanced production technologies to machinery, equipment and innovative business concepts.
For manufacturers operating in the industrial bakery and pastry sectors in particular, SIGEP World offers valuable opportunities to explore emerging technologies, establish direct contacts with international suppliers and gain insights into evolving consumer trends.
The 2027 edition aims to welcome more than 1,000 international buyers, providing exhibiting companies with opportunities to enter new markets, strengthen global business connections and expand their international presence.
Turkish food manufacturers show growing interest in Italian technologies
The Istanbul presentation also highlighted the continued expansion of trade relations between Türkiye and Italy in the gastronomy and food processing technology sectors.
According to figures presented during the event, Türkiye’s imports from Italy across the core sectors represented by SIGEP World exceeded €135 million in the first eight months of 2026, marking an 11% increase compared with the same period of the previous year.
Imports of bakery and pastry machinery recorded a particularly strong increase of 57%, while imports of food and beverage processing equipment rose by 46%. These figures underline the growing interest among Turkish manufacturers in Italian technologies and industrial expertise.
Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), also shared during the presentation, indicated that Türkiye’s coffee imports from Italy reached $18.4 million, while gelato and ice cream imports amounted to approximately $1.6 million.
These developments demonstrate that bilateral trade extends well beyond finished food products, encompassing production machinery, processing technologies, ingredients and semi-finished products.
Marco Pintus: SIGEP World is a powerful platform for new business partnerships
Speaking at the event, Marco Pintus, Director of the Italian Trade Agency in Istanbul, emphasized the significant transformation taking place in Türkiye’s gastronomy and foodservice industries, alongside the steady strengthening of commercial relations between the two countries.
Highlighting the increasing demand for Italian production technologies in the Turkish market, Pintus underlined the strategic role of SIGEP World in fostering international business cooperation.
“SIGEP World is not merely an exhibition showcasing the latest industry innovations; it is a global platform where new partnerships are established, international trade relations are strengthened, and ideas shaping the future of gastronomy come together. As the Italian Trade Agency, we will continue connecting Turkish industry professionals with this international ecosystem and supporting the development of lasting commercial partnerships between our two countries,” Pintus said.
Ilaria Cicero: Our goal is to open new business horizons for companies
Ilaria Cicero, Global Exhibition Director of IEG Group’s Food & Beverage Division and CEO of IEG Asia Singapore, shared SIGEP World’s international growth vision, highlighting the organization’s efforts to strengthen its presence across different markets.
Emphasizing that successful international expansion requires a thorough understanding of local market dynamics and the development of strong relationships with industry professionals, Cicero pointed to the SIGEP Meets the World initiative as a key component of this strategy.
“International markets offer different opportunities that require a proper understanding of local dynamics and strong relationships with industry professionals. Through SIGEP Meets the World, we connect the expertise of Italian companies with the right business partners while carefully analyzing the specific needs of each market. Our goal is to turn these connections into tangible growth opportunities and open new business horizons for companies through SIGEP World’s international network,” Cicero stated.
A strategic hub for international cooperation
As production technologies continue to advance, consumer expectations evolve and food manufacturers increasingly focus on more efficient production models, international trade exhibitions are playing an increasingly important role in the global food industry.
By bringing together manufacturers, technology suppliers, distributors and investors from different countries, SIGEP World contributes to the exchange of knowledge, the development of commercial relationships and the international expansion of the foodservice industry.
For Turkish companies operating in the bakery and pastry sectors, the exhibition represents a valuable opportunity not only to explore Italian production technologies but also to monitor global industry innovations and establish new international business partnerships.
The Istanbul presentation further demonstrated the importance SIGEP World attaches to the Turkish market, marking another positive step toward stronger and more sustainable relationships between the food and gastronomy industries of Türkiye and Italy.
From January 23–27, 2027, SIGEP World will once again bring international industry professionals together in Rimini, providing a global platform for innovation, business development and the exchange of expertise across the bakery, pastry and wider foodservice industries.