Cibus 2023 is an international food exhibition held annually in Parma for the food industry key players: category managers, international and local chains, importers and distributors from different countries, and the restaurant business.

The exhibition features large companies and established brands that have long proven themselves on the market and are open to export. So it’s a great place to find new partners and hold meetings with those you already do business with. Oksana Chernova — ProCheese cheese expert, founder of ProCheese Academy, and judge of the international cheese competition World Cheese Awards — visited Cibus 2023 and shared her impressions and professional conclusions.

Cheese exhibition at Cibus 2023

Compared to Cibus 2022, there were significantly fewer cheeses. This is unsurprising since the exhibition’s main product category changes yearly. If the exhibition focused on cheese and sausages last year, this year it did so on fruits and vegetables, yogurts, and confectionery.

The purpose of this exhibition is to present the Italian market to the international community. The presented products were mainly of Italian origin, but manufacturers from other countries also participated in the exhibition.

Despite the focus on other product categories, Cibus 2023 featured a variety of traditional Italian cheeses: Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, fresh mozzarella and burrata, ricotta and mascarpone, and more. And, of course, lots of Italian sausages, here this pair is inseparable.

How exhibition surprised me

Italians, as always, know how to surprise with simplicity. So even among the usual cheeses, you could find something interesting. For example, I was pleasantly surprised by mascarpone cheese made from buffalo milk. Incredibly smooth, shiny, delicate texture and balanced taste. This mascarpone can be eaten immediately with a spoon and enjoyed, which you cannot say the same about the more popular cow’s milk mascarpone.

I will note that the number of buffalo products has increased. In addition to mascarpone and burrata, buffalo mozzarella mousse with ricotta was presented. There is no such product on our market yet.

At the Cibus 2023 gala evening, Italian dishes were presented to show how the products presented at the exhibition are used by different restaurants. My favorite was the ravioli with mascarpone and truffle. This is a very simple dish, but its taste really surprised me. Once again, I was convinced of how important it is to use high-quality ingredients for cooking as they improve the gastronomic experience, even for dishes of traditional cuisine.

Global market trends

Regarding the trends in the food industry, I singled out five main ones:

  1. Healthy eating

In addition to emphasizing healthy eating, there is a trend for food with added nutrients, such as high-protein foods. Especially dairy products: cheeses, desserts, yogurts, milk drinks.

  1. Promotion of lactose-free and gluten-free, meat-free products

I was pleasantly surprised by LactoSoluion pills from Lattosio for people with lactose intolerance. It is an enzyme that helps to assimilate it. Italians began to use these pills in restaurants actively. If, for example, the establishment cannot offer lactose-free products, you can take this pill and treat yourself to something delicious.

  1. Environment protection

This trend has been popular for more than a year, and in the future, I think it will develop more actively. The increase in organic paper packaging of products, especially for fresh cheeses, confirms this. For example, burrata, mozzarella, and mascarpone were packed in paper cups at the exhibition.

  1. Natural supplements

Sublimated products or nuts are used instead of dyes and flavor enhancers. For example, if the ice cream is strawberry, then dried strawberries are added, and if it is pistachio – pistachio crisps.

  1. Brand sustainability

At the exhibition, you can get to know key brands with a long history of existence. There are few small manufacturers here; if they are present, they are usually in the startup zone.

Cibus 2023 provided valuable insights into the direction businesses need to take to be successful and contribute to society. Conscious companies with strong values are the future!

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