(ANSA) - MILAN, OCTOBER 20 - Discussion at a KPMG-organized conference at Expo Milano 2015 focused on consortia, platforms and acquisitions to bring Italian products onto the international market. The conference was held at the Federalimentare pavilion 'Cibus è Italia' entitled 'Export and Protection of Italian food products'.

There was talk of how to improve exports in the sector as well. Taking part were representatives from such high quality brands as Rana, Zonin, Lavazza and Sanpellegrino. Federalimentare chief Luigi Scordamaglia said that the highly ramified nature of the sector ''is valuable in Italy but there is a need to work together abroad. There is no magical formula for aggregation. Some have developed distributive platforms, while others joined together in consortia and there is also the possibility of acquisitions. It is, however, necessary to remember that localization is necessary in the agrofood sector in Italy, as it adds value.'' The entrance of foreign capital ''should be incentivized,'' he added, ''since it will never lead to delocalization.'' Italian agrofood exports currently stand at ''30 billion euros,'' said Fiera di Parma CEO Antonio Celli, adding that there had been a ''five-billion-euro increase over the past few years.'' Italian exports top in at 25 billion euros in the EU alone. ''Today, 1.5% of companies account for 70% of exports in the agrofood sector,'' Celli said, ''this is why aggregation is necessary for networking and getting onto new, emerging networks.'' (ANSA).