At Anuga 2025, the world’s leading food & beverage trade show, Italy reaffirmed its leadership in the global dairy industry with a strong, qualified presence supported by a supply chain that is increasingly export-oriented.

According to data from Assolatte, around 20% of the 485 dairy companies exhibiting in Cologne were Italian: a figure that confirms the weight of Made in Italy within the European cheese supply chain and the excellence of a sector that continues to stand out for its ability to innovate and adapt to international market dynamics.

Italy’s success at Anuga reflects a mature system that now sees exports as a strategic driver of growth. Companies in the sector are combining the traditional values of Italian dairy products — craftsmanship, heritage, and a strong link to the territory — with new development levers such as traceability, logistical efficiency, and sustainability. The result is a strong and diversified presence across all dairy segments.

For Caseificio Ignalat, an Apulian company with a consolidated export vocation, the trade fair was much more than a commercial showcase: it was an international hub for exploring global trends, validating strategic choices, strengthening B2B relationships, and assessing its competitiveness in an increasingly crowded and demanding market.

At Anuga, Ignalat chose to stand out with a premium, artisanal offering, the result of a short and authentically local supply chain: Burrata, Stracciatella, Mozzarella, and fresh stretched-curd cheeses, complemented by smoked specialties and gourmet lines designed for HoReCa, food service, and high-end retail channels. The product range was supported by a strong technical focus: shelf life, certifications, and optimized logistics for distant markets — all essential factors for meeting the needs of international buyers and demonstrate Caseificio Ignalat’s ability to combine top-quality standards with an efficient distribution network.

“Anuga was an opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships and open new, unexplored market channels,” says Vincenzo Ignazzi, Export Manager at Ignalat. “It was an extremely positive experience, not only for the quality of the contacts but also for the chance to observe the market up close, identify trends, and discover new opportunities. The fair confirmed that global interest in Made in Italy remains strong, even in a phase of slightly slower consumption — proof that Italian cheeses continue to represent a benchmark of excellence worldwide.”

Unlike other trade shows such as TuttoFood — more trade & consumer-oriented — or Salon du Fromage, focused on specialized cheese networking — Anuga stands out for its buyer-centric and multi-category approach. This requires commercial know-how, technical tools, and the ability to interpret international trends. Ignalat shaped its participation around these principles, transforming what was learned during the event into actionable business insights.

“We are already following up with the prospects and buyers we met in Cologne to consolidate partnerships and turn the opportunities generated at the fair into tangible results” explains Vincenzo Ignazzi.

A clear message emerged from Anuga: quality alone is not enough in today’s market without a well-structured international strategy built on logistical efficiency, regulatory compliance, and commercial continuity. Italy’s leadership in the dairy industry is not static but rather a path that must be built day after day — through innovation, commitment, planning, and consistency with the values that make Made in Italy a global symbol of excellence.