Italy is an important partner in trading relations with Canada, and a key one in certain sectors. Confirmation of this comes from data provided by the Export Planning platform, from which we learn that in 2021 trade between Italy and Canada in products featured at HostMilano (the leading world fair for the professional hospitality and out-of-home foodservice sector that will be held at fieramilano from 13 to 17 October) totalled more than 113 million euros, and was almost completely accounted for by movements of goods in one direction only: from Italy to Canada. Trade is expected to be worth close to 179 million euros in 2025, with a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of +12.1%.

The most valuable area of Italian exports on the Canadian market is that of Professional Foodservice, worth nearly 53 million euros last year and expected to rise to a value of nearly 97 million euros in 2025 (CAGR: +16.4%). It is important to point out that exports to Canada account for 1.3% of all Italian exports in the sector (but that will grow to 1.8% in 2025), while Italy’s share of the Canadian market is 1.9%, in a context where competition is dominated by rivals USA (37.5% of the market) and China (34.6%). Among the most interesting segments of Italian-made exports are refrigerating equipment (11.8 million euros in 2021, and expected to grow significantly between now and 2025 with a CAGR of +45.4%). A good sales performance is also being seen in kitchens, cooktops and electrical ovens (worth 16.8 million euros in 2021).

Three other divisions follow, all showing similar values.

In Bread-making and Pastry (23.9 million euros of Italian exports in 2021, expected to reach 28.7 million euros in 2025, CAGR +4.7%) Italy ranks top among its trading partners on the Canadian market with a share of 25.5% in 2021, a leading position it is likely to retain, with a 2025 quota of 24% being forecast. Bread-making is by far the most important part, with 22.2 million euros exported 2021 (expected to rise to 27 million euros in 2025). Canada accounts for 2.9% of Italian export destinations.

In the Coffee-Making Equipment–Vending Machines sector exports from Italy to Canada totalled 18.3 million euros in 2021, and this is expected to grow to nearly 29 million euros in 2025, with a CAGR of +12%. This corresponds to a market share of 12.2%, putting it in second place in the rankings of partner countries behind the USA, which ranks top with 63.4%.

The largest portion of this trade is accounted for by exports of coffee-making machinery and professional cooking equipment (15.5 million euros in 2021, a figure that is forecast to rise to above 25 million by 2025, corresponding to a CAGR of +13,2%). Canada accounts for 1.4% of all Italian exports in this sector.

Furnishings & Tableware, finally, (18 million euros in 2021, expected to grow to 24 million euros in 2025). The sector has a 0.8% share of all Canadian imports, and has to contend with competition from Chinese products (which cover 52% of the market) and from the United States (24.5%). Household fabrics and drinking glasses–crockery (both with 10 million euros of Italian exports expected by 2025) are the biggest merchandise segments. Knives and other cutlery, meanwhile, are seen to have the most favourable growth dynamics between now and 2025 (CAGR +11.4%).