EFA News Week, January 30, 2026

Findus: 60 years of minestrone. For 6 out of 10 Italians, it evokes tradition and family hospitality. We're talking about Findus minestrone, an iconic product created in 1966 at the Cisterna di Latina plant, which remains the beating heart of production today. Over the past year, the plant has produced over 16 million packages. Balsamic vinegar on tour. The international tour of "Modena Balsamic Genius," the short film produced by the Consortium of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena to showcase the product, its history, and its region, continues. On January 28, it stopped in Brussels, at the European Parliament. Cesare Mazzetti, president of the Consortium, noted that Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is "the most exported Italian product with a geographical indication." IEG: the new spaces at the Vicenza Fair. IEG is currently undertaking a major expansion project at the Vicenza Fair. With a total investment of €60 million, the new spaces will be inaugurated by the summer, in time for the fall edition of Vicenzaoro. Sana Food 2026: Over 300 buyers expected. Sana Food, BolognaFiere's B2B event scheduled for February 22-24, 2026, is approaching. It's dedicated to the Horeca (Hot Food) sector, foodservice and retail, and artisanal and gourmet specialties. The 2026 edition, organized in collaboration with FederBio and in synergy with Slow Food Italy, is sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture: over 300 buyers from around the world are expected. The "historic" free trade agreement between the EU and India has been signed. The EU and India have concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement that would eliminate customs duties on 96.6% of EU exports to India. Considered the largest of its kind ever concluded by both parties, the agreement is expected to double EU goods exports to India by 2032. Tuttofood Milano 2026: Middle East and North Africa on the rise. Tuttofood 2026 was officially presented in Dubai during Gulfood, during an event organized in collaboration with the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). Scheduled for May 11-14, 2026, it aims, as stated by Antonio Cellie, CEO of Fiere di Parma, "to bring together professionals from all over the world in Milan." Beer&Food Attraction: Assobirra renews its patronage. AssoBirra, the most representative association of the beer sector in Italy, renews its patronage of Beer&Food Attraction 2026, the trade show organized by Italian Exhibition Group dedicated to beers, beverages, food, and out-of-home trends. The event, which will be held at the Rimini Fiera from February 15 to 17, represents the brewing sector, which employs approximately 112,000 workers and generates over €10.4 billion in shared value.