BLOG

World Pasta Day returns to Istanbul for the third time

15 September 20257 min reading

Istanbul, the meeting point of three continents, is once again hosting the universal story of pasta. World Pasta Day 2025 will unite flavor, culture, and innovation in Istanbul for the third time. From Tradition to the Future: The Heart of the Pasta World Will Beat in Its Homeland.

The Turkish Pasta Manufacturers Association (TMSD) and the Pasta Producers and Industrialists Association (MÜSAD), under the umbrella of the International Pasta Organization (IPO), take great pride in announcing that World Pasta Day 2025 will be held in Istanbul on October 24–26.

This journey, which began in Rome in 1995 at Turkey’s initiative, was formalized in 1997 and has since been celebrated annually in different countries starting from 1998. After its magnificent hostings in 2008 and 2013, Turkey will welcome the global pasta industry for the third time this year.


Theme: From Tradition to the Future

Durum wheat, born from the fertile lands of Anatolia, has been a cornerstone of humanity’s food culture for over ten thousand years. This year’s theme will blend this deep-rooted heritage with the vision of the future, highlighting the healthy, innovative, and sustainable aspects of pasta.

Among the participants will be pasta associations from 15 countries, leading industry producers, technology providers, academics, world-renowned chefs, gastronomy experts, and international media representatives. For three days, Istanbul will not only be a host city but also the very center where the heart of the gastronomy world beats.

The Heart of the Pasta World Beats in Istanbul

Gastronomy, culture, and business will converge in this unique city where history and the future meet.

Istanbul is one of the world’s most remarkable cities not only for its history but also for its cuisine. As a hub where gastronomy and culture intertwine, it will once again take the global stage in 2025. With its rich culinary heritage carrying thousands of years of tradition into the present day, and its strategic location, Istanbul offers the perfect venue for international gatherings.

Having successfully hosted World Pasta Day twice before, the city has already earned the trust of the industry. Now, as it opens its doors for the third time, it is ready to make Istanbul the beating heart of the pasta world. While preserving the magnificent traces of the past, Istanbul continues to host global events shaping the future. With this strong identity, World Pasta Day 2025 will bring together gastronomy, culture, and business around the same table.

Strong Messages from Industry Leaders

Turkey’s production power, export capacity, and gastronomy vision will once again be reflected to the world at this gathering.

TMSD President M. Aykut Göymen:

“Today, Turkey stands as the world’s third-largest pasta producer and the second-largest exporter. This achievement stems not only from our production capacity but also from our investments in modern technologies, innovation, and R&D. Having World Pasta Day 2025 once again held in Istanbul is both an opportunity to showcase the level our industry has reached and a distinct honor for our country to host this prestigious event once more.

M. Aykut Göymen

We are delighted to jointly organize this year’s event under the umbrella of the International Pasta Organization (IPO), together with the Turkish Pasta Manufacturers Association (TMSD) and the Pasta Producers and Industrialists Association (MÜSAD). This strong collaboration reinforces the international reputation of the Turkish pasta industry while making our country more visible in the global food market.

Turkish pasta, with its quality and diversity, is a trusted choice on tables worldwide. With new production techniques, healthier product varieties, and eco-friendly packaging solutions, it is also helping shape the food trends of the future. We want to show the world that pasta is not only a powerful cultural legacy from the past but also an important part of technological transformation.

This gathering in Istanbul will showcase the innovative side of our industry while offering an unforgettable experience with our country’s hospitality and culinary culture. We see World Pasta Day 2025 not merely as a celebration, but as a platform where the food vision of the future will be discussed, international collaborations will be strengthened, and pasta will continue to serve as a bridge between cultures.

With this major event, we believe Turkey will once again demonstrate both its production strength and its hosting capacity, and we warmly invite all industry stakeholders to join us in İstanbul.”

MÜSAD President Nihat Uysallı:

“World Pasta Day, celebrated each year in a different country under the International Pasta Organization (IPO), will this year be held in our country, jointly organized by the Pasta Producers and Industrialists Association (MÜSAD) and the Turkish Pasta Manufacturers Association (TMSD). We take great pride in hosting this significant event.

Nihat Uysallı

This gathering, which will bring together all stakeholders of the industry—from producers to suppliers, from academics to decision-makers—holds great importance not only for our sector but also for the future of the global pasta market.

Turkey’s strong position as the world’s third-largest pasta producer and the second-largest exporter, combined with the fact that our country is the homeland of durum wheat and home to advanced technology facilities, places Turkish pasta in a unique position in terms of both quality and potential on the world stage.

At MÜSAD, we see this event not merely as a celebration, but as a step that will strengthen Turkey’s claim to leadership in the global food market. We believe World Pasta Day will both strongly demonstrate our country’s standing in the sector and activate its immense potential.

We invite all our stakeholders to this valuable gathering, where we aspire to shape the future of the pasta industry together, guided by collective wisdom and collaboration.”

A $2 Billion Strength: Economy, Culture, and Sustainability Meet at the Table

The historical heritage, economic value, and eco-friendly aspects of pasta—together with strong sponsors—are being carried into the future.

Economic Strength

Today, Turkey is one of the most influential players in the global pasta scene, not only in its own kitchens but also worldwide. With an annual production capacity of approximately 2.2 million tons, Turkey ranks as the world’s third-largest pasta producer and the second-largest exporter. The industry exports to 174 countries, provides employment for 50,000 people, and generates an economic value of $2 billion, playing a strategic role in the global food chain. This demonstrates that Turkey is not only a producer but also a key contributor to global food security.

Cultural Dimension

Anatolia is the homeland of durum wheat. This journey, which began on the fertile soils of Karacadağ, has evolved over thousands of years into a universal culture that now brings people together at millions of tables around the world. Pasta represents far more than just a dish—it is a value that builds bridges between cultures and creates a shared language at the table.

Sustainability

Pasta holds a special place among the foods of the future thanks to its low environmental impact.

  • It saves water both in wheat production and in kitchens.
  • It is climate-friendly with a low carbon footprint.
  • It helps prevent food waste as it can be prepared with surplus ingredients.

Cereals provide half of humanity’s daily energy needs, and pasta, as one of the most sustainable examples of this group, is helping to shape the future.


More Than an Event: Three Days Full of Inspiration, Knowledge, and Connections

An event filled with chefs’ recipes, academic panels, networking opportunities, and unforgettable tasting experiences awaits you.

Why You Should Attend

 Get Inspired: Rediscover pasta with the exclusive recipes of renowned chefs.

 Gain Knowledge: Catch up with the latest trends in health, nutrition, and innovation.

 Build Connections: Open doors to international collaborations.

 Experience It: Embark on a unique three-day journey with tastings, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities.

Secure Your Place at the Event

 World Pasta Day 2025 will be more than just an event—it will be a cultural bridge, a global showcase for the industry, and an unforgettable experience for gastronomy.

 October 24–26, 2025 | Istanbul

Hosted by: TMSD & MÜSAD

More information and registration: www.makarna.org.tr


Articles in Consumption Research Category