EIMA International, a bridge between Italy and Turkey

With total trade reaching nearly €500 million in 2025, Turkey remains one of Italy’s main trading partners in the agricultural machinery sector. Over the past twelve months, Italian imports of agricultural machinery from Turkey have in fact grown by 19%, exceeding €210 million, whilst exports, amounting to approximately €230 million, although down by 20% compared to the previous year, have nevertheless remained at levels well above those of the pre-pandemic years. The figures relating to trade in the sector between the two countries were released this afternoon in Konya (Turkey) during the press conference presenting the 47th edition of EIMA International, the global agricultural machinery exhibition organised by FederUnacoma in Bologna from 10 to 14 November. “The trend in Italian agricultural machinery exports was influenced by developments in Turkey’s domestic market, which saw a significant decline in sales last year. The decline, which in the tractor sector stood at 36% (40,500 units sold), is due not only to factors such as inflationary pressures or difficulties in accessing agricultural credit, but – as explained by Davide Gallarate of FederUnacoma’s Events Office – also to the instability and climate of uncertainty in the global economic landscape”. However, the current economic climate has not weakened Italian-Turkish trade relations and technical cooperation. With a 18.2% share, Italian manufacturers confirmed their position as Turkey’s leading suppliers of agricultural machinery in 2025, whilst Turkish manufacturers saw their turnover with Italy grow to exceed €210 million. The partnership between the two countries could strengthen in the medium term if the projections by the research firm Exportplanning for Turkey are confirmed; these currently indicate a recovery in agricultural machinery imports from the main global suppliers. According to these estimates – following the expected slowdown for the current year (-5.6%) – total imports are expected to return to growth in the three-year period 2027–2029 at an average rate of 2.3% per year.

In this context, a ‘globally-oriented’ exhibition such as EIMA International can help give further impetus to the partnership between the two countries. “The Bologna exhibition is organized into 14 product sectors and showcases more than 60,000 models of machinery, equipment and components for agriculture and gardening. “With its wide range,” Davide Gallarate emphasized at the press conference,

 

 

 

“EIMA International is able to meet the technological needs of any agricultural economy, particularly the one of Turkey, and of any business, from small family farms to large industrial enterprises.” The strong focus on technological innovation, which has always characterized the Bologna event, is another winning factor of the ‘EIMA formula’; an element of particular interest not only to manufacturers from around the world, but also to the vast audience of Italian and international visitors to the event. From this perspective – as highlighted at the press conference – the next edition of the exhibition is expected to match and likely surpass the record figures of the previous one, which saw the participation of around 1,750 exhibiting companies, 675 of which were from abroad, and recorded approximately 350,000 visitors, 63,000 of whom were from abroad. “Turkey,” noted Davide Gallarate, “was one of the most represented countries with 94 exhibitors – accounting for 14% of foreign exhibitors – and over 2,300 visitors. For EIMA 2026, we expect figures in line with these.” Furthermore, an official delegation of business representatives from Turkey is also expected in Bologna; their visit is currently being organized by the ICE Agency, a strategic partner of Italian manufacturers for internationalisation activities.

The organizers have planned several new features for the November event, starting with an increase in the number of themed showcases. “In addition to the traditional EIMA ‘Energy’, ‘Components’, ‘Idrotech’, ‘Digital’ and ‘Green’ showcases, there will be the new EIMA ‘Extend’ and EIMA ‘Campus’, dedicated respectively to organisations representing the global agricultural and agricultural machinery sector and to the world of universities, research and training. “The idea of expanding the range of showcases,” said Davide Gallarate, “was conceived to highlight two elements of the sector: governance and training, which are becoming increasingly central to the planning of sector policies.” Also worth noting, among other new features, is the opening of Hall 35, currently under construction to the highest architectural and functional standards, and the redesign of the outdoor spaces where dynamic demonstrations take place in the EIMA Energy, Tractor of the Year, Garden E-motion, Contoterzista Driver Trophy, as well as REAL, the arena dedicated to robots and highly automated machinery. Also making its debut is the first edition of the ADI Design Exhibit Award - EIMA International, a competition open to all exhibitors promoted by the Italian Industrial Design Association (ADI) in collaboration with FederUnacoma to reward the best exhibition stands.
A programme of around 150 events, including conferences, seminars and workshops, is dedicated to political and economic issues. These will take place within the framework of EIMA and will take stock of trends in the global primary economy, technological needs and strategies for promoting mechanisation in the various agricultural contexts around the world.