The flavor and quality of Italy’s preserved tomatoes are taking center stage at the Hospitality Qatar 2025 trade show, thanks to the participation of ANICAV – the Italian Association of Canned Vegetable Industries. As part of the EU-co-financed project “Red Gold From Europe: Excellence in EU Preserved Tomatoes – EU Red Gold ME”, ANICAV is promoting the sustainability, wholesomeness, and taste of Made in Italy tomato preserves to the fast-growing Middle Eastern market.
The event, held in Doha from 28 to 30 October, marks the first stage of a three-year program targeting Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar — three dynamic markets increasingly receptive to Italian culinary traditions and products.
A STRATEGIC MARKET FOR ITALY’S TOMATO INDUSTRY
The Middle East is consolidating its position as a key destination for Italy’s tomato processing industry. According to ANICAV data, exports of Italian tomato preserves to the region reached €84 million in 2024, representing 3% of total Italian exports in this category. The sector recorded a 5.7% increase in value and a 14.3% rise in volume compared with the previous year.
A REGION OF GREAT OPPORTUNITY
“The three target countries we are addressing — and indeed the entire Middle East — represent an area of great interest for all our companies,” said Giovanni De Angelis, General Director of ANICAV. “These are markets showing very positive growth trends, which give us confidence for the future, especially after the challenging period of 2024, marked by dangerous military tensions in the Red Sea that drastically reduced commercial traffic through the Suez Canal.” De Angelis added that the recent performance figures confirm a growing appreciation for Italian tomato products. “The numbers clearly show there is increasing attention to our production, characterized by superior quality and authenticity — the result of a carefully controlled supply chain and a tradition that combines experience, innovation, and respect for raw materials,” he said. “Events like Hospitality Qatar provide a vital platform to promote and enhance our sector, strengthening its competitiveness in a complex global landscape.”
L'articolo ANICAV Showcases Italian Tomato Preserves at Hospitality Qatar proviene da Italianfood.net.
