After Mexico and Canada, Italy has become the third-largest source of food and beverage imports for the United States. With a value of $7.3 billion, Italian food and beverage exports to the USA have outstripped those of France in 2023, securing a podium position among the leading suppliers. Despite the persisting phenomenon of Italian sounding—where products masquerade with Italian-esque names but hail from elsewhere—American consumers are gravitating towards authenticity over imitation.
Leading the charge is Italian wine, boasting sales in the USA reaching a noteworthy $2.1 billion in 2023. Olive oil maintains its esteemed status as a symbol of Italian quality, commanding a robust $706 million in exports, closely followed by sauces and other culinary preparations at $633 million.
Pasta claims fourth place in the export lineup, accruing $597 million, followed by cheese at $468 million, baked goods at $445 million, and bottled waters at $309 million. Vegetarian preserves take the eighth spot at $302 million, followed by spirits at $256 million, and processed meats at $240 million. Another quintessential Italian offering, coffee, secures the eleventh position with $137 million in exports.
THE AUTHENTIC ITALIAN FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
To showcase Italian culinary prowess in Miami, the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACCSE) orchestrates the fifth iteration of the ‘Authentic Italian Food & Wine Festival’. Taking place on May 14th and 15th at the Coral Gables Country Club, the event is set to attract 150 importers, distributors, restaurateurs, and chefs from Florida for two days of networking, seminars, product tastings, and business meetings with Italian enterprises.
Florida emerges as an increasingly enticing market. Italian exports to the state surged to $3.89 billion in 2023, marking a notable 12% increase from the previous year, surpassing the already robust average of Italy-USA exports, which saw a 5.4% growth in 2023, totaling $72.9 billion overall.
THE PROGRAM
The festival’s inaugural day, on Tuesday, May 14th, will feature orientation activities including insights into the Florida market and testimonials from Italian entities established in the region. A guided tour of Miami’s gourmet markets and retail outlets will follow, culminating in a networking dinner with diplomatic figures and handpicked importers and distributors, offering discourse on prevailing market dynamics.
The following day, Wednesday, May 15th, will be dedicated entirely to promotional and commercial endeavors. Two seminars will delve into the realms of food and beverage aboard cruise ships and Miami’s upscale dining scene, paving the way for a focused Trade session facilitating engagements between exhibitors and industry professionals in the expo area. The grand finale will be the Grand Tasting event, inviting discerning food enthusiasts to sample offerings from selected restaurants, patisseries, and gelaterias.