There is a place in the world that is the undisputed reference for coffee: it is called SIC, International Coffee Exhibition, and it is the space within Host 2023, at fieramilano in Rho from 13 to 17 October, which brings together the supply chains of the sector, together with Bars, Coffee Machines and Vending Machines, and always provides an overview of the way things currently stand.

And operators definitely feel a great need for an overview: coffee is not only the world's most popular hot drink, but also the one that has evolved most considerably in recent years. From the emergence of large quality chains to the boom of specialty coffee and new generation roasting companies, up to an increasingly demanding consumer capable of grasping the nuances of a terroir, a single origin or an organic coffee.

It is no coincidence that the global roasted coffee market in 2022 is valued at about 120 billion dollars. And a regular increase in quantities is expected in the coming years, with growth rates between 1% and 2% which would lead to a consumption of up to 3.8 billion cups a day (source Promos Italia).

“A study of the industry Insight tells us that coffee expectations are growing among both consumers and professional customers,” says Kate Jeffries, CostaX chief of staff. “Costa X is the professional solution platform of Costa Coffee, the second biggest coffee brand in the world. Consumer tastes are maturing, consumers want more varieties of high-quality, sustainably sourced coffee conveniently served to them no matter the occasion or location, while our professional customers are facing record-high inflation costs. Our solutions for coffee and milk speed up processes while guaranteeing the highest standards in hygiene and food safety."

Paola Macoggi of Covim also agrees that there is much more to the coffee bean than meets the eye: “In our sector, the act of innovating refers to a wide range of innovations or transformations that improve production processes. For example, in 2023 Covim invested a lot of resources to structure a new automated logistics hub, which is independent from an energy point of view thanks to the installation of solar panels and which responds to the need to optimize a critical point in our value chain, making it more efficient and at the same time sustainable.”

Anna Lisa Zito, of the marketing and communication department at Portioli, is also on the same wavelength, placing the emphasis on production processes, as well as on design: "For us, innovation starts in the new factory: an innovative production heart that blends in perfectly with its natural surroundings. It was designed and built with an eye to environmental sustainability, through water management, energy saving, waste management and much more. The innovative aspect can also be perceived in the design of the Portioli product, with the study of more lightweight packaging that sees a decrease in the use of plastic and ways of making information clearer and easier for customers to use."

Innovations that can also be explored in the schedule. In the world of cafés, the events organized by AICAF (the Italian Academy of Coffee Masters) and ALTOGA (the National Association of Coffee Roasters, Importers and Food Wholesalers) will be back. Other moments worthy of note include the roadshow format among the booths of Coffee Addition and the challenges between baristas, with the Grand Prix of Italian Cafeteria and the Moka Challenge prominent among them, while for the Lags Battle Italy/ World Lags Battle ALTOGA collaborates with Latte Art Grading System.