The international food and beverage fair Tuttofood opened this week at Fiera Milano Rho. Organisers and stakeholders praised the event’s role in reaffirming the strength and innovation of Italy’s agri-food sector.
Speaking at the inauguration, Antonio Cellie, CEO of Fiere di Parma, underlined the sector’s capacity to weather global challenges. “This event demonstrates that food and beverage have incredible resilience,” he said. “We have been through the energy crisis, Covid, and I believe that in the end even the American administration will realise. Their farmers will not be able to support a policy of duties that effectively blocks the possibility of sharing food, which is the purpose for which we are here.”
90,000 visitors expected
The 2025 edition of Tuttofood comes a decade after Expo Milano 2015, which was themed “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. Returning to the same venue, the fair cements Italy’s central role in global food discourse. This year’s event is the biggest to date, occupying over 150,000 square metres across ten pavilions.
Some 4,700 companies are taking part, with more than a quarter from outside Italy. Participants have come from North America, the Philippines, Spain, Egypt and beyond. The event is expected to draw over 90,000 visitors, including 3,000 top international buyers and hundreds of journalists from across the country.
AI in the agri-food sector
As well as demonstrating gourmet products and industry staples, the 2025 edition highlights how cutting-edge technology is transforming the agri-food supply chain. Artificial intelligence, in particular, was a key theme at the inaugural conference.
Valeria Sandei, CEO of Almawave, said: “The integration of artificial intelligence in the agri-food supply chain represents a strategic opportunity to enhance the excellence of agri-food and face global challenges. These technologies allow us to optimise and enhance the entire production cycle, from cultivation to distribution, from product protection, to the improvement of logistics, to safety, to the back office, up to the reduction of waste, improving sustainability, efficiency and competitiveness.”
Alice Andrei, marketing manager at Fiere di Parma, added, “Tuttofood is a global agri-food platform. In addition to an exhibition of products, it must be a place to discover new industry trends, critical issues and strategies. For us it is important to understand how in a traditional sector like agri-food, artificial intelligence could be an active support.”
With climate change and geopolitical instability continuing to disrupt food supply chains, the focus on sustainability was also at the forefront. Riccardo Caravita, brand manager for Tuttofood 2025, emphasised the need for long-term thinking.
“Climate problems and wars have made access to food or certain raw materials difficult,” he said. “And it is increasingly necessary to start talking with companies about sustainable production from an economic, environmental and social point of view, and about responsible and ethical consumption.”
Tuttofood runs until 8 May and includes panels, tasting sessions, and innovation displays across all major food categories.
