Italy Machinery Exports to UAE Soar Amid Growing Demand

Dubai, UAE : Italy is solidifying its role as a global industrial leader, with exports of packaging and food processing machinery to the United Arab Emirates reaching €161 million by July 2025. This surge reflects the Gulf region’s rising demand for innovative, high-precision, and sustainable Made in Italy technologies.

According to recent data, Italy maintains a leading position in the UAE machinery market. Exports of packaging machinery totaled €53.7 million, marking a 58.3% year-on-year increase and capturing a 34.7% market share. Meanwhile, food and beverage processing machinery exports reached €107.3 million — an 87.5% increase compared to 2024 — securing a 35.4% market share.

This remarkable growth underscores Italy’s status as a trusted industrial partner, supporting the UAE’s goals in manufacturing diversification, food security, and technological advancement. Italy will further showcase its capabilities at Gulfood Manufacturing 2025, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 4–6 November, where 252 Italian companies will participate, making it one of the largest international contingents.

At the exhibition, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), in collaboration with UCIMA (Italian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Association) and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, will present the latest Made in Italy technologies through a dedicated Italian Lounge. This hub will connect regional manufacturers, distributors, and investors with Italy’s most innovative companies, highlighting next-generation solutions that enhance productivity, sustainability, and digital transformation across production and supply chains.

“Italy’s presence at Gulfood Manufacturing is more than a commercial milestone; it reflects the strong industrial partnership between our nations. Italian technology aligns seamlessly with the UAE’s pursuit of innovation, sustainability, and high-performance manufacturing,” said Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE.

The UAE’s food manufacturing sector, valued at USD 23.21 billion in 2025 and projected to more than double to USD 52.76 billion in the coming years, is driving unprecedented demand for advanced machinery and automation. Italian engineering — renowned for precision, performance, and quality — is at the forefront of this transformation, offering sustainable, efficient, and highly automated solutions tailored to regional requirements.

“The Gulf region is undergoing a manufacturing revolution, with Italian engineering at its core. Our food processing and packaging machinery exports to the UAE have shown strong growth this year, reflecting the market’s confidence in Italian quality, precision, and sustainability. As the hospitality and food sectors continue to expand, Italian innovation will remain a key driver in boosting production efficiency and competitiveness across the Gulf,” stated Valerio Soldani, Trade Commissioner, Italian Trade Agency – Dubai.

The surge in Italian exports reflects a broader regional trend toward high-value, technology-driven machinery that supports the UAE’s ambitions for local production, resilient supply chains, and food security. Italian manufacturers continue to set the global benchmark for innovation, seamlessly combining design excellence, digitalization, and engineering precision to deliver enduring industrial value.

As the UAE strengthens its position as a regional manufacturing and logistics hub, Italy remains a reliable partner, fueling industrial diversification, technological advancement, and sustainable growth across the Gulf.