The collective catering market - Italy

The global foodservice market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.97%. Within this market, the Italian contract catering sector experienced a significant slowdown in 2020 due to the pandemic, with a sharp 26.6% drop in sales resulting in a decline of 1.75 billion euros on the previous year. The market is slowly recovering, however, as evidenced by the 34.5% increase in total sales between 2020 and 2022, largely due to the resurgence of office work and educational establishments.

Despite challenges such as the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which has led to a 0.4% rise in consumer prices and significant increases in the costsdespite challenges such as the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, which led to a rise in consumer prices, and significant increases in production and utility costs for caterers, there are emerging demand trends in Italy, including a preference for sustainable and seasonal products, healthy menus and a variety of ethnic foods. Italian household spending on canteens fell by 44.9% between 2017 and 2021, but variations exist with higher spending in the northwest and lower in the south and islands. Key players in the Italian market include multinationals like Sodexo and Elior, as well as local companies like Pellegrini and Camst, which focus on sustainable offerings and adapt to contemporary eating habits.

Key drivers of the Italian foodservice market

The Italian foodservice market has undergone significant changes in consumer preferences and demographic transformations that influence demand in the sector. Demand analysis indicates that, despite a decline in average monthly expenditure in canteens over a five-year period, certain segments such as elderly care present growth potential due to the aging of the population. By the end of the decade, the elderly population is expected to grow by around 10-15%, which could boost demand for foodservice in care facilities.

It's equally important to understand demand in the school sector. Despite a downward trend in enrolment, with preschool admissions down by around 15-20%, the need for healthy, sustainable school catering persists. Parents are increasingly expressing their desire for menus that are not only nutritious, but also environmentally friendly. In the corporate sector, however, traditional company canteen models are showing signs of running out of steam. The percentage of small and medium-sized companies offering canteen services has fallen slightly. In response, corporate catering services are exploring new demand trends, such as diverse ethnic offerings and technological improvements for menu customization and ordering. In addition, with the Russian-Ukrainian conflict having an impact on economic conditions, consumer prices for canteens rose by less than 1%.

Despite this, production costs in the food industry climbed significantly, increasing by around 15-20%, influenced by increases in energy prices. Regional disparities in demand are evident, with monthly household spending on catering services significantly higher in the northwest (over 5 euros) than in the south and the islands, where spending is just under one euro. This geographical imbalance reflects the diversity of regional economic conditions and, potentially, differences in the availability and quality of catering services. This dynamic is part of a global context in which the foodservice market is set to grow from a value of around $240-250 billion to more than $320 billion over the next few years. Italy's role in this expanding market is likely to depend on its ability to exploit new demand trends, while meeting the challenges posed by demographic change and economic uncertainty.

Key players shaping Italy's foodservice landscape As we explore the contours of the Italian foodservice industry, certain names stand out for their substantial contribution to the market. These entities not only provide millions of meals a day in a variety of sectors, but also embody the trends and transformations running through Italy's foodservice space.

• Sodexo Italy has established itself as a giant, supporting the market with a range of foodservice and facilities management solutions. Its global footprint and substantial presence in the corporate, education and healthcare sectors underline Sodexo's leading role in the Italian market.sodexo's leading role in delivering personalized food experiences that prioritize sustainability and individual dietary preferences.
• The Elior Group is another international foodservice heavyweight, responding to the changing demands of meal delivery with a focus on personalization and innovation. Elior's commitment to the health and ecological aspects of foodservice makes it a pioneer in the culture of responsible consumption.
• Compass Group, whose heritage spans more than three quarters of a century, remains a formidable player, with its emphasis on freshness, locality and the adaptability of its offerings. Compass's early adoption of technology to facilitate personalized meal pre-ordering illustrates its forward-thinking approach to foodservice.
• Venturing into the local Italian businesses that have become synonymous with quality contract catering, Pellegrini Group boasts an impressive growth trajectory, firmly rooted in the concept of wellness. With its wellness recipes, Pellegrini has combined culinary expertise with scientific validation, offering a menu that is not only tasty, but also healthy.
• Camst is a company that has become perfectly integrated into the fabric of everyday Italian life, serving a wide range of customers with a commitment to dietary diversity and innovative workspace solutions. Its strategic expansion into international markets speaks volumes about its ambition and the scalability of its business.
• CirFood has risen through the ranks to become an industry leader, particularly notable in the school catering segment. CirFood's constant growth and expansion testify to the brand's commitment to feeding the community with a blend of tradition and innovation.
• Serenissima brings the richness of Italian culinary tradition to the foodservice sector. With a focus on fresh, authentic Italian flavors, Serenissima appeals to a myriad of institutions, ensuring that meals are not only nourishing, but also culturally resonant.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 17/10/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Ripartizione del fatturato per divisione
• Monthly household expenditure on canteens
• Evoluzione della popolazione anziana
• Strutture di assistenza residenziale
• Evoluzione del numero di alunni
• Diffusione delle mense aziendale e delle convenzioni con le mense
• Catering market
• Market for school canteens
• Evoluzione del fatturato delle mense e catering continuativo su base contrattuale
• Ricavi delle vendite
• Spesa totale delle famiglia per le mense
• Number of catering enterprises and canteens
• Legal form canteen and continuous catering enterprises
• Continuous canteen and catering workers
• Consumer price index for business canteens
• Consumer price index canteens
• Food industry producer price index