HostMilano 2027 Builds Momentum as Global Foodservice Equipment Market Nears €80 Billion


  • Global food equipment production reaches €77.7 billion, up 35% compared to the pre-pandemic period.
  • World trade, at €55.8 billion, is gaining momentum with a forecast growth of +4.3% over the 2027–2029 period.
  • HostMilano confirms its position as a global benchmark, with more than 1,000 exhibitors already confirmed, 50% of whom are international, alongside an expansion strategy across Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Milan, 14 May 2026 – Open kitchens, hybrid concepts and rapidly evolving consumption patterns: out-of-home dining is undergoing a profound transformation. Against this backdrop, the Italian Giornata della Ristorazione (Restaurant Industry Day) on Saturday 16 May offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the future of the sector. The initiative is a collective, inclusive, solidarity-driven and ethical event that celebrates conviviality and the culture of hospitality.

A culture to which Host, the world-leading exhibition dedicated to hospitality organised by Fiera Milano, contributes by anticipating innovation not only through its biennial trade fair, but also through the regular insights produced by the HostMilano Observatory, which throughout the run-up to the event tracks market performance and the most promising emerging trends, turning them into business opportunities.

With more than 2,200 exhibitors and over 183,000 trade visitors from around the world, the 2025 edition confirmed HostMilano as a leading global platform for hospitality, out-of-home dining and food retail. The event also recorded strong growth in international attendance, including +27% from the United States, +29% from Brazil, +21% from the United Arab Emirates and +20% from Australia.

Looking ahead to the 2027 edition, more than 1,000 exhibitors have already confirmed their participation, with international exhibitors accounting for 50% of the total. These figures underline the strong industry confidence in the event and its continued ability to attract leading global players.

Building on its role as a leading global hub for the sector, Host continues its internationalisation journey through a series of structural partnerships that are shaping a true worldwide network for professional hospitality. Following the success of the first edition of Host Arabia, developed in collaboration with local partner Semark, and with the second edition already scheduled to take place in Riyadh from 7 to 9 December 2026, the partnership with NAFEM – the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers – will bring the Host format to the United States in 2027, creating a new bridge between Europe and North America and further strengthening the connection between the world’s leading hospitality and out-of-home markets.

Host therefore confirms its position as a strategic, dynamic and flexible platform where business, innovation and networking come together to anticipate emerging trends and shape the future of the industry.


A Growing Sector Worth Almost €80 Billion

According to data compiled by ExportPlanning exclusively for the HostMilano Observatory, in 2025 global production in the professional foodservice equipment sector – including kitchens, ovens, cooktops, cooking appliances and related equipment – reached €77.7 billion, marking an increase of around 35% compared to the pre-pandemic period and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of +5.2%.

With an average annual growth rate of +10.3%, the most dynamic category is that of small electromechanical appliances, highlighting the increasing automation of operational processes. In absolute terms, the two largest product categories are pots and pans (€26.9 billion, CAGR +3.8%) and electric kitchens, cooktops and ovens (€23 billion, CAGR +5.2%), which together account for two thirds of global production.

As for global trade, in 2025 it reached €55.8 billion (+0.3% compared to 2024), outlining a solid market set to accelerate further. Forecasts from ExportPlanning indicate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of +4.3% over the 2027–2029 period, moving closer to €65 billion over the forecast horizon.

The United States is the world’s leading market, at €8.4 billion (a 15.6% share), followed by Germany (€4.8 billion), the Netherlands and Poland (both at €2.5 billion), and France (€2.4 billion). Looking ahead, the strongest contributions to demand growth are expected from Europe, with Germany leading the way at +€906 million (CAGR +4.5%), followed by Poland (+€642 million, CAGR +6%) and the Netherlands (+€551 million, CAGR +5%).


90,000 Ambassadors of Made in Italy Worldwide

Growth is being driven not only by innovation but also by demand. The results of the first systematic mapping of Italian restaurants abroad, conducted by Sociometrica for FIPE with the report The Italian Table Abroad, identified 1,486 Italian restaurants across ten European cities, analysing more than 115,000 menu items.

With an average score of 8.95/10, customer satisfaction remains remarkably high. The pizzeria emerged as the most widespread format, with 345 venues and the highest Value Index. The Margherita pizza was the most frequently listed dish, while Carbonara, Tiramisù and Aperol Spritz continue to showcase the enduring popularity of Italian cuisine and culture worldwide.

On a global scale, nearly 90,000 Italian restaurants act as cultural ambassadors, promoting Italy’s identity, lifestyle and artisanal expertise across international markets.

The Kitchen Takes Centre Stage

The HostMilano Observatory has identified several structural trends that are reshaping hospitality and foodservice.

The professional kitchen is no longer hidden from view but has become the visible heart of many venues. Open kitchen concepts combine transparency, functionality and theatrical presentation, making food preparation part of the customer experience.

Layouts are becoming increasingly flexible, allowing venues to adapt between lunch, aperitivo, dinner, private events and delivery operations. Indoor and outdoor spaces are being designed as integrated systems capable of responding to multiple consumption occasions.

Consumer habits are also changing. Frequent micro-occasions such as snacks, sharing plates and weekday brunches are creating new opportunities while requiring faster production cycles and more versatile equipment.

In terms of flavours, fermentation, umami-rich ingredients and live-fire cooking are gaining popularity. Miso, fermented dairy products, charcoal grilling and other techniques that deliver greater aromatic complexity are now appearing across both fine dining and premium casual dining formats.

The 45th edition of HostMilano will take place at Fiera Milano from 22 to 26 October 2027.

HostMilano at a Glance

HostMilano is the leading global trade fair for the hospitality and professional foodservice sector and a must-attend event for operators across the HORECA industry (Hotels, Restaurants and Cafés).

Organised by Fiera Milano, Host brings together every two years the key international players in the industry, offering a comprehensive overview of the latest trends, technologies and innovations in foodservice, catering and hospitality.

Its main focus areas include professional catering, bakery, pizza and pasta, coffee, tea, bar and coffee machines, gelato, furnishings, technology and tableware.

Through its cross-sector approach, HostMilano continues to serve as a strategic platform for operators seeking to anticipate trends and unlock new business opportunities worldwide.