Dario Peirone, Presidente CeiPiemonte: “I prodotti piemontesi tra i più ricercati”

On the occasion of the Summer Fancy Food Show, we spoke with Dario Peirone, President of the Foreign Centre for the Internationalization of the Piedmont Region (Ceipiemonte). With him, we discussed strategies, emerging markets, and the increasingly central role of the Piedmont system in promoting local excellence on global markets. From the collective presence of businesses to the enhancement of production chains, Peirone explains why internationalization today is not just an opportunity, but a necessity.

President Peirone, how important is it for Piedmontese companies to participate in events like the Summer Fancy Food Show to strengthen their presence in foreign markets?

I would say it’s essential. The Summer Fancy Food is undoubtedly the most important event in the world for the agri-food sector, and Piedmont has a very strong presence in this field. As Ceipiemonte, we are the system body that brings together all the players that strengthen Piedmont’s economy: the Piedmont Region on one side, the Chambers of Commerce representing the companies on the other, and also the universities. Today, at the Piedmont booth, there are more than 16 companies. We’re also joined by the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo, and several other Piedmontese companies are present outside the collective booth. In total, we have nearly 30 entities represented here. That gives a clear sense of how important the Summer Fancy Food Show is for our companies.

Piedmont plays a key role in supporting exports. What concrete tools are you providing to help Piedmontese agri-food companies?

Piedmont has been participating in the Fancy Food Show with its companies for over ten years, and the delegation continues to grow every year. This is possible thanks to what we call the “Integrated Supply Chain Project.” We work based on supply chains, which is a very effective approach that allows us to map the entrepreneurial landscape according to different sectors. The Integrated Supply Chain Project allows small and medium-sized enterprises from our region to take part in these events—which are indeed very important but also very expensive—through a collective booth. This enables them to present themselves with a stronger image, in a more visible position, and to access markets that they might not be able to reach on their own.

Based on your experience, which international markets currently offer the best opportunities for Piedmontese products?

That’s a good question. The United States continues to be a huge and extremely important market—as both the Minister and our Regional President have emphasized. But right now, we’re also exploring new and closer markets with great interest, such as those in the Middle East, which are giving us very positive signals. In South America, there’s always been strong appreciation for Italian products, thanks in part to the presence of large Italian communities. Piedmontese products are very much in demand in those areas. We’re also seeing strong interest in Asia, especially when it comes to excellence: the high quality and raw materials that define our region are highly appreciated. Just last week in Turin, we hosted the awards ceremony of one of the world’s most prestigious food events: the “50 Best Restaurants in the World.” The top international chefs were there, and their praise for Piedmontese ingredients was clear—and a great source of pride for us.

Thank you, President Peirone, for joining us at Il Newyorkese.

Thank you.