Summer is on its way and all eyes are on that most iconic of foodstuffs: gelato, which, leaving aside what were undoubtedly interesting earlier versions in China, Greece, ancient Rome and medieval Sicily, appeared in its current form in the mid-16th century at the court of Catherine de’ Medici, in Florence. Italy can indeed claim to be the home of gelato, historically but also in terms of equipment and innovation.

Confirmation of this comes from ExportPlanning figures: trade between Italy and foreign countries (import + export) in the HostGelato sectors* was worth more than 2.7 billion euros in 2022, of which over 85% was accounted for by exports (a total of more than 2.3 billion euros). And the prospects are very good: Italian trade is expected to exceed 3.2 billion euros in 2026, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of +4.4%.

Taking the totals for other European countries, trade was worth almost 12 billion euros, with a CAGR of +4.9%, a value that is expected to rise to almost 14.5 billion euros in 2026. The overall value of trade with the EU was 14.6 billion euros in 2022, with a forecast of 17.7 billion euros in 2026.

Nearly half of Italian exports of gelato equipment is accounted for by materials, machinery and refrigeration appliances, which in 2022 were worth some 1,162 million euros, a figure that is forecast to total 1,625 million in 2026 (CAGR +88%). The second largest segment by value in 2022 is that of chilled display cases and counters, with cooling or evaporating units (approximately 702 million euros in 2022).

Where exports are heading

France is the main market for HostGelato exports, worth over 287 million euros in 2022 (nearly half of which is accounted for by chilled display cases and counters, with cooling unit or evaporator). In 2026 this market is expected to grow to a CAGR of +1.9%, with products from Italy worth 310 million euros.

It is followed by Germany, with 237 million euros in 2022: of this, 109 million is accounted for by materials, machinery and refrigeration appliances. In 2026 CAGR is expected to stand at +4.1%, reaching a total of 279 million euros.

In third place is Canada, with 223 million euros in 2022, nearly all of which is accounted for by materials, machinery and refrigeration appliances (215.6 million euros, with an expected CAGR in 2026 of +4.5% and 265 million euros).

The United States were the fourth largest market in 2022, at approximately 155 million euros, of which the largest part is accounted for by chilled units with cooling unit or evaporator (59.4 million euros) and materials, machinery and refrigeration appliances (54.9 million euros). In 2026, CAGR is expected to stand at +5.8%, with 194 million euros from Italy.

The UK, Spain and Belgium recorded values of over 100 million euros accounted for mainly by materials, machinery and refrigeration appliances (over 70 million euros).

Exports to non-European countries include Saudi Arabia (54 million euros from Italy 2022), the United Arab Emirates (49 million euros), Australia (46 million euros), Israel (31.2 million euros) and Turkey (31 million euros).

As regards cabinet-style fridge-freezer units with capacities of between 400 and 800 litres, the main partner countries are the USA (13.7 million euros) and South Korea (3 million euros). For chilled display cases and counters, with cooling unit or evaporator (excluding those for storing frozen foods) exports go to France (139.6 million euros in 2022), Germany (80.7 million euros), the Netherlands (37.6 million euros), Switzerland (24.8 million euros), Australia (24.1 million euros), Spain (23.3 million euros), Poland (22 million euros), the USA (21.7 million euros) and Austria (20.7 million euros).

(*) the sectors analysed, in relation to customs classification, include cabinet-style fridge-freezer units, refrigerated display cases and counters with cooling unit or evaporator, for the storage of frozen foods, refrigerated display cases and counters with cooling unit or evaporator (excluding those for storing frozen foods), refrigerated cabinets with cooling unit or evaporator (excluding combined fridge-freezers with separate or combined external doors or drawers, domestic refrigerators, refrigerated display cases and counters) and materials, machinery and equipment for refrigerating systems (excluding units equipped for refrigeration)