The ritual of Italian espresso coffee, a candidate for Unesco Intangible Heritage of Humanity, is confirmed as a trait d'union of historical tradition and new generations, from north to south.
According to Unioncamere-Infocamere estimates collected by the Italian Coffee Roaster Group, among the 930 companies in the sector in 2020, those led by the under 40s represent 6.5% and exceed the national average of youth manufacturing companies (5.4%).
It is pointed out that the latest reports indicate that the sector, alongside the entrepreneurial vitality of young people, must however deal with the pandemic and emergency crisis of the moment. According to data from the Italian Coffee Roasters Group and in particular from the Coffee Promotion Consortium, through its president Michele Monzini, after a 2019 of growth in the sector (+ 0.8%), 2020 recorded a reduction in consumption outside the home: the turnover losses of roasting companies in the horeca channel in 2020 are indicated equal to 40%. The only channel that would not have suffered in 2020 is - the traditional retail and e-commerce channel is supported, the former grew in value by 10.3% while the latter with rates close to 50%, but worth - it is specified - less 2% of the total retail. The economic trend has led to asking the Italian Coffee Roasters Group for a discussion table from the Draghi government. "To protect Italian coffee roasters and those close to public establishments, we have consulted - explains Alessandro Bianchin, president of the Italian Coffee Roaster Group - the president of the Council and the competent ministries so that they undertake to act now, to stem the wave of bankruptcies that risks to become unstoppable, we are open to a serious discussion that leads to the revision of the directives and the adoption of new protocols. " (HANDLE).