Rome, October 22 (askanews) – What role does pasta play in our daily lives? This question is the starting point of the meeting "What would life be without pasta?", held at Antica Pesa in preparation for World Pasta Day 2026, which will be celebrated on Sunday, October 25. It was an opportunity for discussion, including the results of the survey conducted by AstraRicerche, which highlights the central role of pasta in the habits, culture, and identity of Italians. An interview with Paolo Barilla, President of Unione Italiana Food: "Pasta starts with a huge strength: it is in people's memories and will continue to be so in the future.
People want to live off pasta well into the future because it's the object of their desires and their pleasures at the table. Our task, as industry and producers, is to innovate and know how to serve a plate of pasta for every possible lifestyle. People are looking for speed in the kitchen, ready-made dishes, greater simplicity in preparing the dish, with a whole new generation that is interested in other aspects, other flavors, other formulations." In the words of Francesco Lollobrigida, Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests: "There are a thousand reasons to support and defend pasta, a product of excellence, and we have worked to do so over the years.
As Minister of Agriculture, I pay great attention to the production of quality wheat, capable of supporting the needs of our industry." But pasta is more than just a symbol of our daily lives. Behind a simple and indispensable food lies an industry that, now more than ever, must face challenges and difficulties in a changing world. Margherita Mastromauro, President of the pasta makers of Unione Italiana Food, said: "Pasta is a social, cultural, and economic heritage of our country.
This year, we chose to examine the value of our supply chain with an Ambrosetti study. Of the €80 billion in the overall agri-food supply chain, pasta alone is worth €13 billion. Fabio Divella, Pasta Division Supervisor at F. Divella SpA, commented: "The pasta industry must keep pace with new trends. This happens by leveraging its skills and the historical know-how of our industry. The Divella family, for example, has been in business for over 130 years: we have been pasta makers for four generations and have always valued our know-how and expertise, but above all, we strive to offer products that are always in line with market demands." The real challenge for Italian pasta makers will be to continue innovating to remain competitive. Teaming up with institutions is essential to ensure that the iconic Made in Italy dish remains an unrivaled excellence worldwide, accessible to all.
Askanews