252 Italian exhibitors confirmed for Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 — one of the largest international contingents
Italy continues to strengthen its global industrial footprint, with exports of food processing and packaging machinery to the United Arab Emirates reaching €161 million by July 2025. The impressive rise reflects the Gulf region’s growing appetite for Italian engineering excellence, innovation, and craftsmanship.
Recent data shows Italy leading the UAE market in both categories. Exports of packaging machinery rose 58.3% year on year to €53.7 million, capturing a 34.7% share, while food and beverage processing machinery surged by 87.5% to €107.3 million, achieving a 35.4% market share.
The figures underline Italy’s role as a trusted industrial partner, supporting the UAE’s goals in manufacturing diversification, food security, and advanced technology integration. This collaboration will take centre stage at Gulfood Manufacturing 2025, held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 4–6 November 2025, where 252 Italian companies will participate — making Italy one of the largest and most influential international presences at the exhibition.
The Italian Trade Agency (ITA), in cooperation with UCIMA (Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Association) and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will host a dedicated Italian Lounge at the event. Designed as a dynamic networking space, it will bring together regional manufacturers, distributors, and investors with leading Italian innovators, showcasing next-generation technologies driving productivity, sustainability, and digital transformation across supply chains.
“Italy’s participation at Gulfood Manufacturing marks more than a trade milestone; it embodies the deep industrial partnership between our nations. Italian technology perfectly aligns with the UAE’s pursuit of innovation, sustainability, and high-performance manufacturing,” said Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE.
The UAE’s food manufacturing industry, valued at USD 23.21 billion in 2025 and projected to grow to USD 52.76 billion in the coming years, is fuelling unprecedented demand for automation and advanced machinery. Italian engineering — long associated with precision, reliability, and quality — continues to drive this transformation through sustainable and highly efficient solutions tailored to regional needs.
“The Gulf is undergoing a manufacturing transformation, with Italian engineering at its core. Our Food Processing and Packaging machinery exports to the UAE have grown strongly over this year, reflecting the market’s trust in Italian quality, precision and sustainability. As the hospitality and food sectors continue to expand, Italian innovation will remain a defining force in enhancing production efficiency and competitiveness across the Gulf,” said Valerio Soldani, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Agency – Dubai.
The surge in Italian exports mirrors the wider regional shift toward technology-led industrialisation, supporting the Gulf’s ambitions for self-sufficiency, resilient supply chains, and food security. Italian manufacturers remain at the forefront of this evolution, blending design excellence, digital innovation, and mechanical precision to deliver enduring value.
As the UAE reinforces its role as the Gulf’s manufacturing and logistics hub, Italy stands as a steadfast partner, driving industrial diversification, technological progress, and sustainable growth across the region.
