PRESS RELEASE
Comunicato n. 8 del 22/12/2025 ( download download )
· From Friday 16 to Tuesday 20 January, SIGEP World returns to Rimini Expo Centre with 1,300 brands and a 33% increase in foreign exhibitors from 45 countries. Companies from Canada to Singapore make their debut, alongside collectives from Saudi Arabia, China, and Ukraine. India features as Guest Country, represented by a delegation of 50 buyers and institutional representatives.
· The Top Buyer Program brings 500 top buyers from 75 countries to Rimini, including chains, importers, and distributors.
· 26 international events scheduled, featuring over 50 international speakers.
· Looking ahead, SIGEP is expanding globally with SIGEP USA from 24–26 March in Las Vegas, followed by the SIGEP China roadshow in Shanghai this spring, and SIGEP Asia in Singapore in July
Rimini, 22 December 2025 — SIGEP World 2026 is set to become an increasingly international event, featuring 1,300 exhibiting brands from 45 countries and 500 top buyers from 75 nations. India confirmed as the guest country this year, following Saudi Arabia in 2025. Here are just some of the international developments at SIGEP World – The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence, the international exhibition for Gelato, Pastry, Chocolate, Bakery, Pizza and Coffee, curated by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) and scheduled to take place at Rimini Expo Centre from Friday 16 to Tuesday 20 January. This event isn’t just about showcasing products and technologies; it brings together manufacturing excellence, innovation, and international markets under one roof.
EXPANDING OFFER, GROWING GLOBAL PARTICIPATION
SIGEP World 2026 will expand to 138,000 m2 across 30 halls, featuring 1,300 brands that bring the best of Made in Italy to Rimini—from traditional supply chains to cutting-edge technologies. The fair will highlight a strong Italian presence with top drawer companies across the foodservice industry, while its international component grows by 33%, with 45 countries represented, all aiming to tap into the global confectionery and out-of-home markets.
Within this ever-expanding landscape, a select group of countries stands out. Backed by strong industrial capabilities and a high capacity for innovation, these nations—together with Italy—play a pivotal role in driving the sector’s core supply chains. Germany, Spain, France, China, Turkey, Belgium, Poland, the United States, Greece, and Denmark will be present at the fair, showcasing cutting-edge technologies, ingredients, products, and expertise that are set to influence global market trends and shape future strategies.
In addition to this scenario, the 2026 edition will welcome new participating countries, including Canada, Algeria, Ecuador, Estonia, Serbia, Singapore, Nepal, and the Czech Republic. National Pavilions—official country delegations that choose SIGEP World as a strategic platform to showcase their excellence—will also be featured at the fair. This year, Saudi Arabia, China, and Ukraine will be represented.
INDIA GUEST COUNTRY AT THE 2026 EDITION
For the 2026 edition, India will be the Guest Country, marking a particularly prominent presence at SIGEP World. The fair is expected to welcome a delegation of 50 leading buyers, alongside institutional representatives and exhibitors specialising in ice cream technology—a segment experiencing rapid growth within the Indian market.
This initiative stems from a wide-ranging international collaboration involving the ICE Offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, the Italian Embassy in New Delhi, the Indian Embassy in Rome, and major Indian institutions active in the agri-food industry.
THE BUYER PROGRAMME STRENGTHENS SIGEP WORLD’S GLOBAL REACH
SIGEP World’s enhanced international positioning is further reinforced by an ambitious incoming strategy. The Top Buyer Program will bring 500 buyers from 75 countries to Rimini, with particularly strong representation from the United States, India, Canada, Brazil, China, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Singapore. Participating profiles include major foodservice chains, large-scale importers, and specialised distributors seeking cutting-edge technologies, products, and solutions aligned with evolving global market demands.
In parallel, SIGEP World will host a rich programme of high-level industry discussions. The 2026 edition will feature 26 international events, with contributions from over 50 international speakers, offering valuable insights for exhibitors and buyers alike.
A strong presence from leading international associations will also underscore the event’s global relevance. These include ACA (Airline Catering Association), CEOPPAN (Spanish Confederation of Bakery and Pastry Trades), FIFI (Forum of Indian Food Importers), HRAWI (Hotel and Restaurant Association of India), HPMF (Hospitality Purchasing Managers’ Forum, India), and OSSKiC (National Association of Chefs and Confectioners of Poland).
SIGEP WORLD’S GLOBAL STAGES
SIGEP World represents a truly international network developed by the Italian Exhibition Group to support companies in accessing key global markets. In November, the first stage of this global journey took place in Madrid, with a roadshow hosted by the Italian Embassy and organised in collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency and the Italian Chamber of Commerce for Spain. The event brought together analysts, associations, and leading figures from the Iberian foodservice industry to explore evolving urban consumption patterns, service models, and business strategies. This was just the first stage of an event that now spans multiple continents, offering dedicated opportunities for companies to connect with buyers and professionals in the world’s most promising markets.
From here, the global stages unfold: the major news from SIGEP USA, scheduled for 24-26 March 2026 in Las Vegas, brings together the gelato, pastry, and coffee supply chains within the IPE-International Pizza Expo; the SIGEP China roadshow, planned for spring 2026 in Shanghai; and SIGEP Asia, from 15-17 July 2026 in Singapore, designed to tap into the growth of the ASEAN region, one of the most dynamic in the world.
ITALIAN EXHIBITION GROUP PRESS CONTACTS | media@iegexpo.it
head of corporate communication & media relation: Elisabetta Vitali|
press office manager: Marco Forcellini, Pier Francesco Bellini | international press office coordinator: Silvia Giorgi | press office coordinator: Luca Paganin | press office specialist: Nicoletta Evangelisti, Mirko Malgieri
MEDIA AGENCY SIGEP World: Mind The Pop
Martina Vacca: martina@mindthepop.it, mob. +39 339 748 5994; Fabrizio Raimondi: fabrizio@mindthepop.it, mob. +39 335 389 848; Benedetto Colli: benedetto@mindthepop.it, mob. 380 371 2272; Stefano Chiossi: stefano@mindthepop.it, mob. + 39 388 739 4358.
This press release contains forecast elements and estimates that reflect the management´s current opinions (´forward-looking statements´), particularly regarding future management performance, realization of investments, cash flow trends and the evolution of the financial structure. For their very nature, forward-looking statements have a component of risk and uncertainty, as they depend on the occurrence of future events. The effective results may differ (even significantly) from those announced, due to numerous factors, including, only by way of example: food service market and tourist flow trends in Italy, gold and jewellery market trends, green economy market trends; the evolution of raw material prices; general macroeconomic conditions; geopolitical factors and evolutions in the legislative framework. Moreover, the information contained in this release, doe not claim to be complete, and has not been verified by independent third parties. Forecasts, estimates and objectives contained herein are based on the information available to the Company as at the date of this release.