Atlante and the Italian Food Export Sector

Global Connections. Atlante’s Role in Expanding Italian Food Worldwide

Italian food exports are approaching €70 billion per year – a result that confirms the strength and reputation of Made in Italy, but also highlights the complexity of bringing Italian products to global markets. Tariffs, logistics barriers, cultural differences and the competition of Italian-sounding products make international distribution a demanding process that requires specific expertise and established relationships.

A bridge between Italy and the world

In this context, Atlante plays a strategic role as a partner for the international growth of Italian brands and suppliers. Its strength lies in its ability to connect two worlds – producers and retailers – through a consultative approach that combines market analysis, listening and flexibility.

“Our task is to facilitate the encounter between customer and producer, helping both communicate effectively and create mutual value,” explains Guido Lanzarini, Export Director at Atlante, in an interview with EFA News.

Over the years, the company has built a network that stretches from Japan to Canada, from South Korea to South Africa, maintaining direct relationships with leading retail chains and food service operators. This network has grown over time, founded on deep category knowledge, trust, and a consistent presence in international markets.

A consultative and flexible approach

Atlante’s work always begins with an understanding of the destination market. Analysing purchasing behaviour, identifying category gaps and interpreting local trends are the first steps in defining an effective export project. Based on these insights, the team selects the most suitable supplier in Italy, evaluating production capacity, quality consistency and market positioning.

“For each market and each client, we need to find the right solution,” says Lanzarini. “There’s no single model that fits all. Our goal is to balance each market’s needs, culture and objectives.”

This makes Atlante a direct and transparent partner: the company works side by side with its suppliers and maintains an ongoing dialogue with international retailers. Its approach is not one of intermediation but of win-win collaboration, where every stakeholder contributes to creating shared value.

From Italian tradition to niche markets

The hallmark categories of Made in Italy – pasta, tomato, olive oil and sauces – continue to drive food exports, yet growth also comes from niche markets, which open space for innovation and differentiation.

“These are the categories that allow us to bring innovation, introduce new ideas and tell the story of Italian culture through food,” explains Lanzarini.

Niche products are a strategic lever to renew the image of Made in Italy abroad and to meet the demands of increasingly segmented markets.

Strategic markets and new opportunities

Thanks to years of experience, Atlante has established a strong presence in distant and complex markets. Japan and South Korea remain key areas, supported by long-standing partnerships and trusted collaborations. In South Africa, the company has built a stable presence over the past five years through cooperation with one of the country’s leading retailers.

More recently, Atlante has developed the Canadian market, focusing on organic products and high-potential categories. Its expansion continues today across Western Europe, with projects underway in France, Germany and Spain – mature yet receptive markets for a consultative and value-driven approach.

Responsiveness and vision in global trade

Food export operates in an ever-changing context. Trade policies, tariffs and geopolitical shifts quickly influence supply and demand dynamics.

“Tariffs and market instability can change the landscape overnight,” notes Lanzarini. “Atlante must maintain a long-term strategic vision, while remaining flexible enough to seize opportunities that may arise within weeks.”

This ability to adapt is one of Atlante’s defining traits: a balance between foresight and responsiveness that enables the company to navigate change without losing operational stability and continuity.

Export as collaboration

Guido Lanzarini’s vision captures the essence of Atlante’s role in export: not a mere intermediary, but a development partner capable of connecting markets and cultures.

Direct relationships with Italian suppliers and international retailers evolve into collaborations that generate shared value and strengthen the global presence of Made in Italy.

From this perspective, export is not simply the movement of goods but the building of enduring relationships – a journey that blends strategic vision, empathy and adaptability: the key elements that define Atlante’s way of bringing Italy to the world.