The first few months of 2025 were characterized by considerable uncertainty due to protectionism and trade wars, which are also slowing down investments in the Food & Beverage sector and postponing certain strategic decisions and M&A sales processes by Italian companies.
However, as emerged from this latest edition of the Food Summit, the sector continues to be attractive and resilient and maintains prospects for international growth, thanks to its dynamism and the opportunities that are emerging in the medium to long term, including through consolidation activities.
CONCENTRATION ACTIVITIES IN THE SECTOR
In 20241 the agri-food sector, despite a complex market environment, demonstrated its dynamism in M&A activity, which, on the one hand, remained stable in terms of the number of transactions carried out, but on the other hand, recorded a significant increase of over 50% in the value of transactions carried out worldwide, a result that was certainly influenced and driven by the large transactions that took place in the American market.
In Italy, the sector is expected to recover and return to normal in the second half of 2025, once the markets have stabilized following negotiations on tariffs and a subsequent international agreement.
MAIN SECTORS INVOLVED IN CONCENTRATION ACTIVITIES
Both domestically and internationally, significant concentration activities are expected in the medium to long term, especially in the following segments of frozen foods, sweet and savory foods, ingredients, condiments and sauces and ready meals.
Even in the large-scale retail sector, especially in Italy, which today remains a rather fragmented market compared to the rest of Europe (especially when compared to the United Kingdom, Germany and France), size and economies of scale are key factors for the successful development of the sector.
THE ROLE OF THE IMI CORPORATE & INVESTMENT BANKING DIVISION IN SUPPORTING BUSINESSES
In this context, Intesa Sanpaolo, through its IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division, confirms its presence alongside its clients, entrepreneurs and small and large companies, supporting them in their strategic initiatives and solid industrial projects with an important strategic vision, in line with the challenges of the twin ecological and green transition. It does so by offering integrated services and customised products, designed according to the specific needs of its clients.
NOTE 1 KPMG’s analysis