Business meetings between supply and demand, certainly – and in the thousands – but HostMilano is also the reference event to discover the trends that will influence the development of businesses in the coming years. And as the 2023 edition approaches (at Fieramilano in Rho from Friday, October 13^th to Tuesday, October 17^th), what is the most interesting data emerging from HostMilano’s constant dialogue and interaction with industry stakeholders?

The Economic Impact of Innovation

Indeed, the industrial galaxy present at HostMilano features strong internationality, with significant global trade exchanges. According to Export Planning data, the global trade in these value chains reached a new high in 2022, totaling 178.3 billion euros, surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 38 percentage points compared to 2019. By 2026, the global trade in products represented at HostMilano will grow by +3.4% annually to exceed 200 billion euros.

As for the Italian industry, a world leader in many sectors of the industry, according to estimates from the ANIMA Assofoodtec Studies Office, by the end of 2023, Italian-made food service equipment will surpass 4.6 billion euros, with exports contributing more than 3 billion euros.

Lifestyle Experiences Require Smart Technologies

A valid example of how innovation and consumer trends influence each other is the evolution of food delivery, which will be represented by several of the most significant top players at the event: no longer perceived simply as ‘fast and convenient’ but also and above all as ‘gourmet, practical, and safe,’ delivery is supported by increasingly smart machinery and products, including artificial intelligence that designs new recipes based on consumption patterns.

A study conducted by Circana for the HostMilano Observatory on the occasion of Host 2023 estimates that 9 out of 10 Italians continue to consider dining out economically accessible, with over a quarter of respondents (27%, 10 percentage points more than the previous survey) stating they have not changed their out-of-home consumption habits: as they face rising prices, Italian consumers respond by placing greater importance on seeking memorable experiences that offer inclusivity, sustainability, and, above all, attention to the local territory where locally sourced ingredients become a competitive edge.

Want to know more about tomorrow's trends? Don’t miss any of the events at Host 2023.