It closed on Wednesday 21 October, after five days, SIAL Paris’ 2026 edition, one of the world’s leading food industry events. Producers, importers and distributors from many countries met in the Paris Nord Villepinte pavilions. Italy was a great protagonist: about 700 exhibiting companies and, according to the Italian Embassy in Paris, the primacy for occupied surface. A participation which brought together major brands, small enterprises, consortia and regional delegations.
For this edition the organizers had planned approximately 8,000 exhibitors on 280.000 square meters and 295.000 professional visitors. The official catalogue has recorded almost 7,800 exhibitors. For companies, SIAL is above all an opportunity to meet buyers and operators of different markets, check the interest in their products and start trade negotiations.
The Italian presence has been divided into several initiatives. ICE Agency has organized a collective of 218 enterprises on about 3,000 square meters. Universal Marketing, led by Donato Cinelli and Italian agent of the SIAL circuit, has coordinated another representation of over 200 companies, consortia and productive reality, on more than 3,000 square meters, with the involvement of Sicily, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Lazio, Sardinia and Puglia. For many small companies, regional support and collective organization make a fair more accessible, which would require investment and skills that are difficult to support.
The Regions presented different productions and strategies. Molise has focused on micro and small enterprises and certifications, with wine, oil, cheese and truffle among the proposed specialties. Calabria has brought 39 agri-food and beverage companies, from bakery products to ’nduja to citrus drinks. Sardinia has valued Pecorino Romano, Pecorino Sardo and Fiore Sardo, three PDOs that represent an important part of its dairy chain, although having to deal with the major costs due to the insularity. Sicily, Lazio and Puglia have completed regional participation with companies and consortia of their respective subsidiaries.
One of the Italian news was TuttoPizza International, the project promoted by Campania in collaboration with Comexposium, organizer of the SIAL circuit, and Universal Marketing. Through demonstrations and tastings, Neapolitan pizza has become the starting point to present to buyers the entire supply chain: flour, tomato, mozzarella, fiordilatte and oil. Arnaud Boussemart, Group CFO of Comexposium, explained to New York that the meeting between TuttoPizza and SIAL allows to bring a product already recognized worldwide within an international commercial network.
A project that connects food and tourism has also arrived from Campania. The LAG Approdo of Ulisse, with New routes for the new markets, presented the productions of the Sorrento Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast and Capri along with the catering and cultural offer of the territories. The aim is to make known wine, oil, cheese and certified products to both importers and visitors who can discover them in the places of origin.
The Italian weight at SIAL reflects that of agri-food in the national economy. In 2025 industry exports exceeded EUR 72 billion. France is the second target market after Germany: according to the data of the Italian Embassy, in 2025 imported food products from Italy for 6.84 billion euros, 4.78 percent more than the previous year. In the first half of 2026 the value reached 3.35 billion, with an increase of 2.3 percent.
In Paris the President of ICE Agency, Matteo Zoppas, recalled the goal of bringing the total Italian export to 700 billion euros and the difficulties related to duties, conflicts and international instability. He also recalled the phenomenon of Italian sounding: products that use Italian names or images without being made in Italy. A competition that makes it even more important to distinguish the origin and certifications of authentic products.
The event also devoted space to innovation. On the 30th anniversary, SIAL Innovation received over 2,750 applications and selected 775 innovations, including new foods, consumer formats and production solutions. It is an important comparison also for Italian companies, called to adapt packages and distribution to the demands of the markets without losing the characteristics of their own productions.
Italy leaves Paris with a presence among the widest of the event and with a regional representation that has given visibility, next to the great brands, also to productions less present in the international circuits.
L’articolo SIAL Paris 2026, Italy protagonist of the great world fair of agribusiness proviene da IlNewyorkese.
