MANDURIA, Italy, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The first Forum of Italian Cuisine following its recent recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage was held over the weekend in the southern region of Puglia, bringing together policymakers, industry representatives, and producers to enhance the competitiveness of Italy's food sector and promote its sustainable growth.
The two-day event, promoted by Italian journalist Bruno Vespa and organized in cooperation with ICE Agency and Comin & Partners, served as a platform for discussions on the global reach and economic potential of Italian cuisine.
According to research by Deloitte, the global value of Italian cuisine is estimated at approximately 251 billion euros (about 272 billion U.S. dollars), with the potential to reach 300 billion euros if current growth trends continue. The United States and China account for a significant share of this market, each generating around 80 billion euros (92.3 billon dollars) in turnover linked to Italian-style dining.
However, industry representatives noted that a considerable portion of this revenue is generated by restaurants abroad that do not necessarily use authentic Italian ingredients.
"The largest share of value comes from restaurants inspired by Italian cuisine overseas," said Giordano Emo Capodilista, vice president of Confagricoltura. "The key challenge is to expand this value while strengthening the presence of genuine Italian products so that economic benefits can better support domestic agriculture."
He added that while imitation products remain widespread globally, they could also serve as a foundation for future market expansion.
Italy's Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida also said so-called "Italian sounding" products often compete with authentic goods at lower prices but fall short in terms of environmental and labor standards.
Discussions at the forum also addressed issues such as sustainability, water resource management and the economic role of the hospitality sector, which continues to be a major source of employment.
Participants said the event seeks not only to promote Italy's culinary identity but also to translate its global popularity into concrete economic gains by advancing authenticity, quality and stronger positioning in international markets.
