HostMilano showcases a sector worth $186 billion.
With United Nations recognition, the Day confirms the coffee world as a major value generator, driven by the growth of specialty coffee, smart machines, and high-quality raw materials.
Milan, September 29, 2026 – This year marks the first time the event receives official United Nations recognition. International Coffee Day has come a long way since its launch by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) in Milan during Expo 2015; it is celebrated worldwide the day after tomorrow, October 1st. This milestone highlights the value of a sector that has always played a leading role at HostMilano—the next edition of which is organized by Fiera Milano for October 22–26, 2027—and which supports approximately 25 million farmers globally.
Consumption figures are equally impressive: an estimated two billion cups are consumed daily around the world in increasingly diverse forms. According to the National Coffee Association, 47% of adults in the United States consume espresso-based drinks, and more than one in five daily consumers chooses iced coffee. Creativity abounds elsewhere in the world, too: in Vietnam, *cà phê trứng* is served topped with a creamy mixture of whipped egg and condensed milk; in Scandinavia, *kaffeost* is prepared by pouring hot coffee over cheese cubes; in Hong Kong, *yuenyeung* blends coffee with milk tea; and in Senegal, *café touba* is flavored with cloves and Selim pepper.
Europe remains the heart of the industry; according to the ICO, it accounts for nearly a third of the global total—30.1%—making it the world's leading region for coffee consumption. In Italy, the coffee ritual takes place more than twice a day: according to analysis by Unione Italiana Food based on Istat and NielsenIQ data, the average Italian drinks 792 cups of espresso annually, with 28 out of every 100 served away from home—in bars, restaurants, and hotels.
The Day will also provide an opportunity to examine the transformations within a sector that HostMilano—the world’s leading trade fair for professional hospitality, the out-of-home sector, and food retail—is guiding toward its 2027 edition through in-depth insights from the HostMilano Observatory. The focus spans the entire journey from bean to cup, including the machines that enhance the coffee's quality.
“United Nations recognition confirms that coffee is now a shared cultural and economic asset, linking millions of producers to increasingly conscious consumers who care about origins, quality in the cup, and the story behind what they drink,” states Francesca Cavallo, Head of Hospitality Exhibitions at Fiera Milano. “This awareness permeates the entire supply chain, making sustainability an increasingly vital driver—from the energy efficiency of machines to the traceability of raw materials. These are some of the key themes Host 2027 will highlight, bringing together technologies, coffee roasters, and business models on a platform where innovation translates into business opportunities.”
From bean to machine: figures for a growing market
According to Mordor Intelligence, the global coffee market is valued at nearly $186 billion in 2026 and is projected to approach $239 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.18%. Key drivers include the shift in consumption patterns toward premium products and a growing focus on traceability and sustainable sourcing. Italy plays a leading role in this dynamic, ranking as Europe’s top producer of roasted coffee—ahead of Germany. According to Eurostat data processed for the European Coffee Federation, Italian production exceeds 520,000 tonnes annually, accounting for approximately 27.5% of the EU total.
"Made in Italy" holds an equally strong position in the technology sector. As noted by ExportPlanning—exclusively for the HostMilano Observatory—the global trade in coffee and vending machines reached €7.7 billion in 2025. As the world’s leading exporter, Italy contributed €1.56 billion to this figure (up 1.2% from 2024), representing about one-fifth of the total. Trade is expected to accelerate, growing by 3.5% in 2027 and by an average of 4.7% annually during the 2028–2029 period.
Smarter, more efficient machines serving the professional
Two key needs are driving the evolution of the coffee counter: on one hand, helping every barista—from expert to novice—ensure consistent quality even during peak hours; on the other, reducing environmental impact. Consequently, the traditional espresso machine is becoming increasingly intelligent: digital parameter control, thermal stability, and automated systems communicate with the grinder-doser and adjust extraction in real time. This allows the barista to focus on the craft, the storytelling behind the product, and higher-value interactions with the customer.
Sustainability is integrated right from the design stage, utilizing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies and next-generation thermal platforms capable of significantly reducing energy consumption. The coffee served in the cup is also evolving toward increasingly recognizable quality.
Industry players weigh in
These trends are confirmed by key figures in the sector, whose insights were gathered by the HostMilano Observatory as part of its ongoing analysis of trends leading up to Host 2027.
“We are witnessing a pivotal shift in coffee: it is moving from a simple functional beverage—a mere commodity—to a genuine consumer experience. Today’s increasingly informed consumer seeks storytelling and complete transparency to trace the bean’s journey from plantation to coffee shop,” explains Jacopo Bambìni, Group Marketing Director at Cimbali Group. “Amidst this shift—driven in part by the rise of specialty coffee—the espresso machine has become the cornerstone of the customer experience. This entire innovation process is viewed through the lens of sustainability, which for us translates into eco-design choices and rigorous protocols.”
This transformation is also reflected in the international demand for high-end machines.
“Demand for traditional espresso machines is growing, particularly in markets where coffee is increasingly viewed as a premium cultural experience. Across these markets, the requirement is the same: advanced traditional machines that combine cutting-edge technology, consistency, and a strong design identity,” states Marco Feliziani, CEO of Simonelli Group. “At Simonelli Group, sustainability is integral to our design philosophy: a machine that operates with greater precision, stability, and repeatability generates less waste, lowers operating costs, and creates long-term value.”
Raw material quality: the foundation of the process
Moving back from the coffee counter to the roastery, quality is increasingly defined by transparency regarding the product's origin. “Traditional espresso remains central to Italian coffee bars, yet there is growing curiosity regarding coffees of diverse origins and new ways to experience them. A cup of coffee prepared and presented with expertise allows the consumer to better appreciate its value,” states Cesare Trucillo, Head of Growth at Caffè Trucillo. “Transparency begins with knowing the origin of the coffees we purchase. In anticipation of new European regulations regarding deforestation, we are strengthening the collection and verification of information with our suppliers, including data on production areas.”
Upstream of the roasting process, quality also depends on decaffeination—a highly specialized and increasingly significant market sector that processes green coffee prior to roasting.
“Decaffeinated coffee consumption is growing steadily; this trend will increasingly enable the specialty coffee sector to offer high-quality decaffeinated options, including special blends and single-origin coffees,” observes Massimiliano Fabian, Chairman and CEO of Demus, a company specializing in decaffeination and green coffee processing. “Rather than a single innovation, I would describe it as a continuous evolution of technology and technique—improving process efficiency and our ability to better preserve the coffee’s quality and aromatic characteristics. It is precisely this progressive evolution that allows us to offer our clients—and ultimately the consumer—an ever-better product.”
HostMilano has always accorded a special place to the world of coffee bars and coffee, reflecting its focus on Italian supply chains of excellence. Within the Coffee-Tea, Bar, Espresso Machines, and Vending macro-area, coffee roasters, machine manufacturers, and technology suppliers will meet with buyers and industry professionals from around the globe. The event features an exhibition layout that highlights synergies between supply chains, alongside a packed program of events, competitions, and workshops. To date, over 1,000 companies have already confirmed their participation, with international exhibitors accounting for 50% of the total.
The 45th edition of HostMilano will take place at Fiera Milano from October 22 to 26, 2027.
HostMilano at a glance
HostMilano is the leading global trade fair dedicated to the professional hospitality, foodservice, and food retail sectors.
Organized by Fiera Milano, it brings together key international industry players every two years, offering a comprehensive overview of the latest trends, technologies, and innovations. With exhibitors from around the world and a packed program of events, competitions, live cooking demonstrations, and workshops, HostMilano serves as a global hub connecting supply and demand—the ideal place to network, stay up to date, and discover the innovations that will shape the industry's future.
The event is organized into specific macro-areas: Professional Foodservice; MIPPP (Milan Bread, Pizza, and Pasta); SIC (International Coffee Exhibition, covering Coffee & Tea as well as Bars, Coffee Machines, & Vending); Gelato & Pastry; and Furnishings, Technology, & Tableware.
Thanks to its wide-ranging scope—spanning everything from professional equipment to the most innovative concepts HostMilano is the unmissable event for all industry professionals looking to anticipate trends and create new business opportunities.
For further information:
Lbdi Communication
Gianluca Brusa – email: g.brusa@lbdi.it
Hind Nafili – email: h.nafili@lbdi.it
Ginevra Fossati - email: g.fossati@lbdi.it
Tel. +39 02/43910069
Mobile +39 3665333316
Viber: LBDIPR International
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