TUTTOFOOD, the leading international business platform for the food and beverage sector in Southern Europe, organized by Fiere di Parma, has announced the launch of “The Global Date Experience” as part of its upcoming 2028 edition in Milan, Italy.
Designed as a specialized B2B platform, the initiative aims to bring together key global date sector stakeholders—connecting producers and exporters directly with international buyers, retailers, food manufacturers, and foodservice operators. The move seeks to accelerate growth and commercial expansion for one of the world’s fastest-growing food categories.
The announcement was made during an exclusive business gathering hosted by TUTTOFOOD at the Jeddah EDITION Hotel, coinciding with the Saudi Food Show. The event was attended by Marco Bocchi, Consul General of Italy in Jeddah, alongside leading Saudi food companies, international buyers, media representatives, and industry decision-makers, highlighting the growing economic and agricultural partnership between Saudi Arabia and Italy.
Strengthening Economic Ties & Value Chains
Speaking at the event, Marco Bocchi, Consul General of Italy in Jeddah, emphasized the expanding trade synergy between the two nations:
“Economic relations between Italy and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are experiencing rapid growth and diversification, paving the way for long-term strategic partnerships. The agri-food sector stands out as one of the most promising areas, combining advanced Italian technology and expertise with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision and expanding market potential. Enhancing cooperation across both supply chains will unlock new opportunities and foster mutually beneficial innovation.”
Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah bint Bandar bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Executive Director of the International Date Council, highlighted the initiative’s role in elevating global standards:
“The International Date Council was established upon the initiative of Saudi Arabia to unify efforts across countries active in this vital sector. Today, alongside member states and global partners, we focus on establishing standards, enhancing product quality, and facilitating knowledge transfer. ‘The Global Date Experience’ at TUTTOFOOD 2028 represents a strategic opportunity to widen market access and build sustainable partnerships across the date industry.”
Capitalizing on Global Consumption Shifts
Antonio Cellie, CEO of Fiere di Parma, underscored the evolving role of dates in the global market:
“Saudi Arabia continues to solidify its position not only as the world’s top date exporter, but also as one of the fastest-growing exporters in the broader agri-food sector. Simultaneously, global consumption patterns are shifting—dates are no longer viewed solely as a premium fruit, but increasingly as a core, healthy ingredient in innovative food formulations. Through TUTTOFOOD, we aim to capture this shift and create concrete trade opportunities across the entire value chain.”
Record-Breaking Footprint Ahead of 2028 Expansion
“The Global Date Experience” will showcase premium date varieties, novel date-derived ingredients, and modern culinary applications. The initiative builds on the record success of TUTTOFOOD 2026, which drew 123,000 professional visitors (a 30% increase), 5,000 exhibiting brands, and over 4,000 hosted international buyers.
To accommodate rising international demand, TUTTOFOOD 2028 will add two new exhibition halls. The next edition is scheduled to take place at Fiera Milano from May 8 to 11, 2028.