Exporting quality at the right price,
with the whole sector working as a team – this is the key to the
success of Italian agrifood businesses, according to the many
companies taking part in the SIAL international food fair that
is running in Paris until October 23.
Laurent Noel, the director general of Divisione Network
Comexposium, said the event was “a love story between France and
Italy, which is the country with most participants”.
“Italy is seen as a producer of quality and the companies have
kept that quality at the right price are on the market”, said
Rocco Colacchio, the president of Confindustria Vibo Valentia,
who recalled the export difficulties of the last four years due
to Covid, high energy costs, wars and the closure of the Suez
Canal, which has raised transport costs and times.
“We are facing up to all of this and giving a hand to importers,
lowering our margins a little, in part because of the high cost
of energy. All the world’s food products today cost 10% to 15%
more than 4 years ago.”
According to Gennaro Velardo, the Vice Presidente of
Edamus-Italian Food Village, “unity is what makes us strong.
“Being together gives us an extra something,” Velardo added.
“We have an important thing to face, which is the market: if we
get there together, with the conservation industry, the fruit
and vegetable markets and large-scale retail, we have greater
strength”.
Sabato D’Amico, the CEO of the Tradizione Italiana consortium,
which is made up of 17 Italian food-excellence firms with
revenues in the billions, 45% of which comes from exports, and
38 plants in all of Italy’s regions, was on the same wavelength.
“It is clear that, if we move together with the world’s
large-scale distribution groups, we can offer our products with
a guarantee of satisfying the needs of the markets”, said
D’Amico.
“We were founded with the aim of going abroad together and
taking with us ‘made in Italy.’ and therefore the tradition of
‘doing it Italian-style’, of food made in Italy”.
Vincenzo Fiasconaro, the commercial chief for Italy of
Fiasconaro, a Sicilian confectionery company present in 52
countries, stressed the importance of team work in which
importers become partners.
“It has not been easy with the problems we have had in recent
years and continue to have,” said Fiasconaro.
“But with everyone’s commitment, perseverance and teamwork,
making our customers partners, we have been able to keep going
with a certain degree of tranquillity”.
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