The Southern
European specialty market, mainly Italy, is entirely different from that of most
other European countries.
Italy is a gateway into a number of Eastern European
markets and many Italian importers and roasters traditionally supply ready-made
specialty blends (green or roasted, for roast and ground or for espresso) to
nearby countries in Eastern Europe as well as the many small roasters that
operate in Italy itself.
The Italian market counts over 1,500 individual
roasters: there is a substantial mainstream segment but many small specialty
roasters exist and flourish. Many of these buy ready-made, ready-to-roast green
coffee blends from the specialty importers, especially for the strong espresso
segment.
Larger
specialty roasters such as Lavazza and Illy export substantial quantities of
Italian espresso blends all over Europe and the United States, so the sales
opportunities for specialty type coffee that meets the quality requirements for
the espresso trade are quite substantial.
For a review of those requirements and how they differ
from traditional specialty coffee see 12.09.04 and 12.09.05, Coffee tasting
'Traditional versus espresso'.