The Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and Sysco, Ireland’s largest food service specialist, have entered into a Marketing Promotional Agreement aimed at enhancing the visibility of Italian food and beverage products across Ireland. This initiative comes in response to a growing demand for authentic Italian cuisine among Irish consumers.

On Monday, March 24th, a delegation comprising prominent figures including Deputy Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Valentino Valentini, and the Ambassador of Italy to Ireland, Nicola Faganello, visited Sysco’s Dublin facility to formalise the agreement. They were joined by representatives from the ITA and the Italian-Irish Chamber of Commerce.

The agreement is designed to strengthen Sysco Ireland's ties with the Italian government and reinforce the brand positioning of ‘Made in Italy’ products. Mark Lee, the Chief Executive Officer of Sysco, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "Sysco is delighted to welcome our Italian partners to our Dublin facility to formalise this agreement which confirms our commitment to supporting the marketing of authentic Italian food and beverage products." Lee emphasised the increasing popularity of Italian cuisine in Ireland, indicating that this partnership would enable Sysco to meet consumer demand with high-quality offerings.

Giovanni Sacchi, the ITA London Director, highlighted the significance of the agreement, asserting, “The agreement signed today by ITA LONDON and Sysco Ireland represents another crucial step in promoting our Italian products in international markets.” Sacchi noted the successful growth of Italian agri-food exports to Ireland, which exceeded €400 million in 2024, marking a growth of over 10% from the previous year. He expressed confidence in the positive impact this partnership will have, stating, “With enthusiasm, we embark on this journey together with Sysco in Ireland, confident in the success of the initiative and the positive impact it will have for all involved.”

Sysco's commitment to quality is further exemplified by the recent appointment of Michele Esposito as the Italian Sourcing Manager. With over 15 years of experience in the Italian food sector, Esposito has gathered an array of authentic Italian products, many of which are new to the Irish market. He remarked on the flourishing interest in Italian cuisine in Ireland, noting that Sysco now has three Italian Specialists dedicated to providing expert guidance on Italian products.

The agreement will facilitate several marketing activities, including enhancements to the Sysco Store, promotional sales brochures, and initiatives across social media platforms, as well as participation in various internal and external events and showcases.

In summary, the collaboration between Sysco and the ITA marks a significant development in the promotion of Italian food products in Ireland, with various stakeholders anticipating substantial growth in the market for these offerings in the coming years.