Gulf countries are increasingly in the spotlight. On the 16th of October, the first bilateral summit between the EU and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council, the organization that brings together the 6 states of the region) was held in Brussels. On the table was a rich trade exchange where the main product category in European exports is machinery, worth 38.8 billion euros (source: European Commission).
In this scenario, HostMilano, the world’s leading exhibition for hospitality, out-of-home, and retail equipment, products and services, meets today in Dubai with operators, institutions, media and stakeholders in the region to present business opportunities of the industries represented in the Fiera Milano-owned exhibition, whose next edition will be held at fieramilano – Rho from 17 to 21 October 2025.
According to a recent analysis by ExportPlanning, the global output of the industries featured at Host 2025 reached 234.4 billion euros in 2023, with a 42.1 billion euro growth over the past 4 years (CAGR +5.1 percent). The lion’s share was taken by food service equipment, with 99.4 billion euros (23.2 billion higher than in 2019, CAGR +6.9 percent).
Regarding exports, all HostMilano sectors were worth 166.5 billion euros globally last year, and they are expected to see a further increase of 36.4 billion euros (CAGR +5.1 percent) by 2027, to exceed 202 billion euros. Driver areas will be Asia and the European Union, with +24 and +10.3 billion euros respectively. By industries, the highest export value is featured by Furniture and Tableware with 105.2 billion euros in 2027 (+18.3 billion compared to 2023, CAGR +4.9 percent). Food service equipment is also noteworthy, with 85.4 billion euros in 2027, more than 16 billion euros higher than today (CAGR +5.4 percent).
Back to the EU-GCC interchange, HostMilano sectors generated 1.31 billion euros in 2023, a value that will rise to 1.6 billion euros in 2027 thanks to a 6.2 percent CAGR. The main markets are the United Arab Emirates with 612.2 million euros (791 million in 2027, CAGR +6.6 percent) and Saudi Arabia with 455.9 million euros (598.9 million in 2027, CAGR +7.1 percent).
Regarding Italy in particular – a leading country in several sectors – exports to the GCC were worth 395.3 million euros in 2023 (445 million in 2027, +12.5 percent by the end of the period considered).
Food Service Equipment takes center stage among sectors, and it will increase from 224.7 million euros in 2023 to 245.3 million euros in 2027 (+9.2 percent by the end of the period considered). In the same time frame, Bakery and Pastry Machinery will increase from 30.9 to 32.6 million euros (+5.5 percent), and Furniture and Tableware will rise from 51.4 to 59.8 million euros (+16.3 percent). However, the best performer will be Coffee Machines, growing from 86.8 to 107.3 million euros (+23.6 percent).
These industries are also among the most representative Host 2025 sectors, with Food Service Equipment confirmed to be among the most relevant. The strong focus on bakery is reflected in the agreement signed with the SIPAN Consortium, which will see the presence of the top Italian machinery manufacturers for this industry, and in a dedicated brand identity that repositions and strengthens the historic MIPPP – Milano Pane Pizza Pasta.
In turn, the pivotal role of the Bar, Coffee Machines and Vending sector is highlighted by its organic growth in synergy with the Coffee-Tea area in the equally historic SIC – Salone Internazionale del Caffè and will be sealed, in the next edition, by the long-awaited return to Milan of the World Barista Championship™, organized by SCA.
The entire exhibition concept, that encourages cross-selling between supply chains thanks to three macro-areas that add value to vertical sectors, will complete a unique offer in terms of completeness in the international exhibition scene. As of today, more than 1,200 companies have already registered for Host 2025, with about 40 percent of them being international from 43 countries, besides Italy.
The 44th edition will be held at fieramilano – Rho from 17 to 21 October 2025.
For updated info: host.fieramilano.it, @HostMilano.
