Single-serve capsules are now widely used at home and across many food service businesses, but end-of-life management is still complex. This is mainly because capsules often combine multiple materials and contain organic coffee residues, which makes recycling harder. The new EU regulation (PPWR) aims to make packaging easier to collect and recycle, introducing shared rules on design, labeling, and producer responsibility.
The European Parliament has approved a new regulation that strengthens the fight against unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain when supplier-buyer relationships involve multiple countries. Specifically, we look at which behaviours are being addressed (from late payments to unilateral contract changes, through to promotions costs imposed without agreement) and what changes thanks to more coordinated investigations and checks among national authorities.
Finocchiona PGI, one of Tuscany's signature cured meats, surpassed one million stuffed pieces for the first time in 2025. This production milestone signals a product that is steadily consolidating its position in the market, supported by an offer increasingly focused on practical formats and by commercial activity that is paying closer attention to international markets.
When selecting new product references, what matters is strong relationships and a clear identity that meets the expectations of an evolving audience. Terre di Bruca reflects this approach through two clear choices. The first is its operating model, built on relationships with suppliers and customers, attention to detail, and a focus on trust and mutual respect. The second is the direction of the project: a mission centered on elegant, distinctive wines rooted in their territory, yet open to research, to connect with new generations of wine lovers, and create opportunities for international buyers.
TUTTOFOOD 2026: over 100,000 trade visitors expected, with a stronger focus on international markets
From May 11 to 14, 2026, TUTTOFOOD returns to Fiera Milano Rho with an even stronger international focus and a program designed to connect producers, distributors, buyers and foodservice professionals more directly. According to the official figures released by the organizers, the next edition aims to exceed 100,000 trade visitors and will feature a larger exhibition footprint, with themed areas dedicated to trends and the fastest-growing segments.
Wellness is no longer a niche topic in the food & beverage market: according to Circana, consumers with a consistent approach to health and diet quality account for about 40% of total sales in the sector. In economic terms, we are talking about $708 billion across retail and foodservice in the U.S.: $402 billion in retail (+2% vs the previous year) and $306 billion in foodservice (+8%), for an overall growth of about +5%.
In recent years, TikTok and other social platforms have become major accelerators of food trends: a piece of content can start in one country, be replicated in dozens of languages, and translate into real demand within days. For brands and distributors, social-driven trends are worth close attention: they can shape sales, sourcing, product development, and even risk management.
In the packaged ice cream sector, sustainability is a market driver that runs through the entire supply chain: from raw material choices and production technologies to packaging decisions. This shift directly affects operators in international markets, as consumer and retailer expectations worldwide are increasingly aligning around a few key criteria: transparency, lower environmental impact, recyclable materials, and attention to supply-chain practices.
In fast-moving consumer goods, one factor is becoming increasingly decisive: time. A recent NielsenIQ study portrays a consumer who is often "time-crunched", assessing convenience not only by price, but also by the minutes saved across planning, preparation, and meal management. In this context, the convenience of food products is no longer an add-on - it becomes a core part of perceived value, provided it is not seen as an unjustified luxury.
For international buyers, importers and distributors, demand is increasingly moving toward authentic Italian specialties with a clear positioning, an assortment that works across channels (mass retail, specialty shops, deli and charcuterie counter, food service), and quality standards aligned with what international markets expect. This is where Ferrarini comes in - an Italian brand founded in Emilia-Romagna in 1956 - with an offering that combines tradition, careful selection of raw ingredients and a range built to develop complete, well-differentiated lines.
Fermentation-driven innovation and formulation science are reshaping how ingredients and products are developed - combining clean label priorities with performance and new quality benchmarks. For food companies, the competitive advantage shows up as fresh sensory, functional and nutritional options, alongside greater stability and reliability across the whole value chain: production, packaging, logistics, retail and foodservice use.
In food and beverage distribution, logistics optimization directly affects service quality and operating costs. Cutting unnecessary miles and empty runs without compromising delivery windows, and gaining real-time visibility on what happens along the route, are now practical priorities. At the same time, distributors are looking to reduce waste and quantify environmental impact, so operational efficiency can be linked to clear sustainability goals.
When working with fresh preparations or semi-finished ingredients - from gelato bases to creams, as well as yogurt and other deli counter items - packaging is not a minor detail. Choosing the right container affects hygiene, shelf life, lab organization, and logistics.
The new labels and packaging adopting the GS1 Digital Link standard connect each product to a digital address via a QR Code, using the same identifier that makes it recognizable across the supply chain (such as the GTIN behind the barcode). The benefit is not only technical: it is primarily about marketing and sales. One single access point can deliver different content depending on who scans (consumer, buyer, distributor, logistics), while keeping everything consistent and well organized. GS1 brings communication, product data and commercial tools together, turning the label into a stable channel to inform, persuade and sell.
In 2025, Italian sparkling wines return above a symbolic and important threshold: more than 1.03 billion bottles produced and sold. The figure matters not only for the commercial scale achieved, but also because it captures a segment that, even in a year described as "complex", remains stable in export markets and continues to strengthen its place in consumption habits worldwide.
In discussions about food waste, the focus is often on environmental impact and social responsibility. For companies across the supply chain (production, distribution, retail, logistics and foodservice), there is another core issue: waste is an operating cost that reduces margin, creates stock inefficiencies and increases management complexity.
- Europe advances toward the recognition of New Genomic Techniques (NGT): opening a new phase for agricultural innovation
- Italian food & beverage exports heading toward 70 billion euros in 2025: growth in Europe and high potential new markets
- Gulfood 2026: a new edition providing key insight into international food industry trends
- New requirements in food packaging: what consumers and buyers expect
