With less than a month to go before Host 2023 opens its doors (at Fieramilano in Rho from Friday 13th to Tuesday 17th October), the fair is already being seen as a reference event that will anticipate sector trends, not only during the days of the actual show, but also thanks to ongoing dialogue and discussion with all the players in the supply chains.

So what are the most interesting trends that the Host 2023 Monitoring Body is identifying? 2023 scenario sees above all a strengthening of some trends singled out in recent years, starting with experiences. At a food equipment level, this translates into a greater design impact: high quality in the visible parts, even considering cooking in full view and at the table, but also tableware designed for sharing and for excellent presentations.

Another confirmation is the desire to experiment with different cuisines: the flavours found in the world’s cuisines continue to see rapid growth, with consumers increasingly interested in the typical dishes of different culinary traditions. Parallel to this is the growing demand for flexible and multifunctional equipment such as combi ovens and flat grills, as well as for specialised equipment such as woks, sushi supplies, 'robata' grills, tandoori ovens and crepe makers.

Consumption changes, food equipment evolves

On top of this, the rationalisation of menus is becoming a way of defending against rising costs and a static market, also making the most of innovation to use less expensive ingredients in dishes. This translates, for example, into the use of less expensive cuts of meat, but above all into the automation of cooking processes with modular solutions, plug-and-play equipment and connected systems. Multipurpose equipment such as combi ovens and speed cookers can help adapt to rapidly changing menus.

Finally, the opportunities for consumption during the day are becoming increasingly blurred. Smart working has upset the concept of fixed hours: consumers eat what they want, when they want and where they want. From weekday brunches also during the week to healthy bowls also for breakfast, but also fusion and ethnic flavours. The impact is reflected in particular in a demand for innovative packaging for takeaway and delivery, as well as for quick-cooking ovens to meet delivery deadlines, and takeaway boxes.

In economic terms, these trends have given rise to a global food equipment market that was worth 44 billion dollars in 2022, according to data from Future Market Insights. Thanks to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of +5.6% per annum, this value is expected to rise to $76 billion in 2032. One of the growth factors involved here is the ever-increasing popularity of fast food restaurants, which stimulates demand for products to simplify processes, such as ovens, grills, and automated dishwashers, but gelato or coffee machines.

Want to know a lot more? Register now for Host 2023 and come discover all the innovations from Italian and international exhibitors.