PUNTOITALY N°1 -January - June 2012

10 BUSINESS ONLINE Interview Which countries show the highest rate of development? In terms of market growth, the most promising region is Asia, although sales are taking off from consumption levels that are still comparatively low. Various countries in Central and South America, where gelato is already popular, are registering sig- nificant growth. The important market of the United States is seeing slow but steady growth and has lots of potential. To what extent has the eco- nomic crisis caused a slow- down in growth in the sector? The economic crisis has not af- fected gelato consumption, except perhaps in Greece, where the situation is very complicated, and in North Africa, because of the current political crises. How has the international artisan gelato market evolved over these last ten years? And in particular, what devel- opments have their been with respect to the ingredients sector? At the international level the last ten years have seen the strong development and increasing spread of artisan gelato, espe- cially in certain geographical areas. Entrepreneurs are coming increasingly to understand that Italian gelato is a quality prod- uct offering good business prospects, without requiring huge up-front investment. The companies producing gelato ingredients have risen to the challenge, with increased par- ticipation in international trade fairs and expansion of their in- ternational marketing opera- tions all over the world. Maurizio Benvenuti, President of Aiipa - the Italian Association of food product industries - provides an outline of the international artisan gelato sector, and presents the new website supporting entrepreneurs throughout the world.

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