The Italian Coffee Market
Italy is the spiritual home of coffee culture and one of the most influential coffee markets in the world. From the espresso bar on every corner to a globally exported café tradition, Italy shapes how coffee is consumed, prepared and presented far beyond its borders. It is also a major hub for the coffee supply chain — home to some of the world's leading roasting companies, equipment manufacturers and machinery brands whose products define professional coffee service internationally.
For international suppliers, Italy offers access to a deeply knowledgeable market and, crucially, to the equipment and roasting ecosystem that supplies cafés and roasters across Europe and beyond. An Italian trade event is not only a domestic opportunity — it is a gateway to the European foodservice industry and to buyers who set global standards for quality.
The Event: SIGEP World
SIGEP World is the leading international trade expo for the foodservice sector, held annually at the Rimini Expo Centre. Now in its 48th edition, it brings together the gelato, pastry, chocolate, coffee, bakery and pizza communities under one roof — with coffee forming one of its core pillars. The next edition takes place from 23–27 January 2027.
The scale is exceptional. The 2026 edition welcomed 198,000 attendees from 160 countries, with 25% travelling from abroad, alongside 1,400 exhibiting brands from 47 countries. Its Top Buyer Program brought 502 senior international buyers from 74 countries — chains, producers, importers, distributors and wholesalers — generating 5,851 pre-arranged business meetings. For an international coffee exhibitor, few events in Europe offer this concentration of qualified buyers.
The Coffee Experience at SIGEP
Coffee at SIGEP World is a dedicated, immersive programme spanning tradition and innovation. It covers the full professional chain — green beans, roasting, equipment and machinery, alongside emerging categories such as ready-to-drink, alternative and plant-based drinks, and tea. Highlights for coffee professionals include:
- The Micro Roaster Village — a dedicated hall bringing together specialty micro-roasters, organised in collaboration with the SCA Italy Coffee Coalition and Slow Food.
- The SCA Coffee Lounge — a "Sensory Bar" run with SCA International, integrated into the Italian Barista Championships and the show's sensory itinerary.
- Sensory itineraries exploring cupping, extraction methods and the pairings between coffee, chocolate and pastry.
- A dedicated coffee bar within the Sustainability District showcasing brewing and tasting methods from cupping to espresso, with selections from Africa and Latin America.
- An advisory board of Italian and international trade associations, plus a high-profile Coffee Industry webinar programme.
Buyer Programme
SIGEP's Speed Date format connects selected exhibitors with highly qualified international buyers through pre-scheduled meetings, supported by the SIGEP matchmaking platform. Exhibitors can also nominate up to three target buyers of strategic interest, who are then contacted and invited to attend — a valuable route for reaching specific companies you want to do business with.