The food processing technology sector is without doubt one of the strongpoints of Made in Italy industry, with products known all over the world: on average, export contributes 60%, and in some cases as much as 90% of turnover. Following a generally positive 2008, the Italian industry of food processing and packaging machines, plants and equipment is cautiously looking forwards to a positive 2009. All sectors held out reasonably well last year, in particular on foreign markets not only of Western Europe, but also in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Latin America is not yet one of the industry’s main outlets, however, the aim of the businesses present at the next   Fispal Tecnologia is to promote Made in Italy technology and solutions to the sector’s business players in South America.

Italian businesses hold a leading position in global exports, despite the pressure from German competitors: they can boast first position (with a market share of 17%) in processing machines and second (23% market share) in packaging equipment. This in a sector which – for volume, growth rate over the last five years, and export – has always been one of the leading sectors of the Italian mechanical industry, with an overall balance of sales of nearly 5 billion Euros.

For the 2009 Fispal Tecnologia event, to be held in San Paolo from the 16th to the 19th of June, the Italian Trade Commission (ICE) will once again be organising a joint participation project, following their attendance in previous years. This trade fair is the most important event of its kind in Latin America for the food processing and packaging sector, with the last edition attracting approximately 61 thousand specialised operators, with 2,036 exhibitors from 13 countries, including Italy.

Although ICE’s presence at Fispal Tecnologia is not new, this year the Commission will be participating for the first time with a ‘Punto Italia’ stand at the Fispal Food Service show, a twin event held over the same dates (from the 15^th to the 18^th June) as the machinery event. Now in its 25^th edition, Fispal Food Service is one of South America’s largest gatherings dedicated to the whole food-away-from-home industry, from drinks to food products, including the HoReCa segment. 1,200 businesses participated in the last edition, from 15 countries including Austria, Belgium, Korea, Singapore, Italy and the United States. The exhibition was attended by more than 64 thousand visitors.

The simultaneous presence of Made in Italy businesses, products and solutions at both fairs aims to consolidate commercial relations with a constantly growing economy: in 2008 Brazilian imports in the food sector showed a growth of 37.29% over 2007, to a value of 6.8 billion dollars. Italian imports, in particular, grew by 35.21% per year and reached a value of 113 million dollars. The most requested Italian products on the Brazilian market are wines (Italy is the country’s third supplier after Chile and Argentina), pasta (Italy is the number one supplier), olive oil (Italy is the fourth supplier) and to a lesser degree cured meats and cheeses.

Italy also aims to become one of Brazil’s main suppliers for the food packaging and processing sector. This sector, which boasts a large number of solid and dynamic small or medium sized businesses, has the capacity to balance the home market’s drop in orders with foreign export. Italian firms have numerous strongpoints, which guarantee them a competitive advantage on quality: ever increasing electronic content, the careful selection of materials which come into contact with food products, the search for ergonomic solutions which safeguard workers’ safety, and last but not least a refined style reflected in the attention to aesthetic details in machine design.