252 Italian Companies Set To Showcase Innovations At Gulfood Manufacturing 2025 In Dubai

Italy will have a significant presence at Gulfood Manufacturing 2025, with 252 companies participating. The event is scheduled from 4th to 6th November 2025 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This positions Italy as one of the largest international contributors to the exhibition. Italian exports of packaging and food processing machinery to the UAE reached €161 million by July 2025, highlighting the Gulf's demand for Italian innovation and precision.

Italy's dominance in the UAE market is evident in both packaging and food processing machinery sectors. Packaging machinery exports amounted to €53.7 million, marking a 58.3 percent increase from the previous year, capturing a 34.7 percent market share. Meanwhile, food and beverage processing machinery exports hit €107.3 million, an impressive 87.5 percent rise over 2024, securing a 35.4 percent market share.

The Italian Trade Agency (ITA), alongside UCIMA and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will feature cutting-edge Made in Italy technologies at a dedicated Italian Lounge during the event. This space will serve as a vibrant business hub, linking regional manufacturers, distributors, and investors with Italy's most innovative firms. The focus will be on next-generation solutions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and digital transformation across production and supply chains.

Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE, stated, "Italy’s participation at Gulfood Manufacturing marks more than a trade milestone; it embodies the deep industrial partnership between our nations. Italian technology perfectly aligns with the UAE’s pursuit of innovation, sustainability, and high-performance manufacturing."

The UAE's burgeoning food manufacturing sector is creating unprecedented demand for advanced machinery and automation. Italian engineering is renowned for its precision and quality, driving this transformation with sustainable and efficient solutions tailored to regional needs. Valerio Soldani from ITA-Dubai noted that Italian exports reflect trust in their quality and sustainability as hospitality and food sectors grow.

"The Gulf is undergoing a manufacturing transformation, with Italian engineering at its core," said Valerio Soldani. "Our Food Processing and Packaging machinery exports to the UAE have grown strongly over this year, reflecting the market’s trust in Italian quality, precision and sustainability."

Supporting Gulf Ambitions

The surge in Italian exports aligns with a broader regional shift towards high-value technology-driven machinery supporting local production goals. This trend supports resilient supply chains and food security ambitions across the Gulf region. Italian manufacturers continue setting global standards for innovation by blending design excellence with digitalisation.

As the UAE strengthens its role as a manufacturing hub in the region, Italy remains a key partner in promoting industrial diversification and sustainable growth throughout the Gulf.

With inputs from WAM