Italy Doughnuts Market Overview, 2030

In the land of tiramisu and cannoli, doughnuts have quietly danced into Italian bakeries with a twist of tradition and a sprinkle of innovation. The doughnut market in Italy has grown steadily, influenced by global food trends and shifting consumer habits, becoming an emerging player in the broader European and international snacking landscape. Though Italy has long had its own doughnut-like treat “ciambella”, a ring-shaped fried cake modern doughnut as we know them were introduced through American fast-food chains and media influence in the late 20th century. Initial resistance came from cultural loyalty to local sweets, but brands overcame this by creating hybrid formats like doughnuts with Italian fillings like Nutella, zabaglione, or ricotta cream. They began appearing at breakfast tables, coffee bars, and even in dessert boxes at family gatherings. Technically, a doughnut is a leavened fried pastry, often round or ring-shaped, filled or glazed, served sweet but increasingly explored in savory formats. Doughnuts solve the need for an easy, satisfying snack that appeals across generations something sweet for kids after school, a treat with espresso at cafes, or a shareable dessert at social events. The benefits are quick prep, scalable production, and endless personalization from sprinkles and syrups to local flavors and organic ingredients. Italian brands have advanced through R&D by refining frying oils to reduce greasiness, improving shelf life for vending and retail, and experimenting with sourdough bases and gluten-free mixes. Innovations like shock-freezing technology, clean-label ingredient tracking, and automated shaping machines have helped improve quality while supporting local scale-ups. However, the market in Italy faces challenges. One is the dominance of regional pastries that make it tough for doughnuts to become a staple. Another is growing health awareness consumers demand reduced sugar, cleaner ingredients, and allergen-free options. The bureaucratic hurdles of Italy’s food compliance system, including EU food traceability and allergen disclosure laws, require investment but offer long-term trust and market stability.

According to the research report ""Italy Doughnuts Soda Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Italy Market is anticipated to grow at more than 5.83% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The market is driven by rising demand for grab-and-go snacks, the influence of American and global food culture, and the blending of tradition with modern café lifestyles. Younger consumers in cities like Milan, Rome, and Florence seek novelty and variety in their daily treats, and doughnuts fill this need with visual appeal and taste flexibility. The rise of international franchises, combined with local bakeries putting creative spins on the classic, also accelerates growth. Recent developments in Italy’s doughnut scene include the rise of vegan and gluten-free bakeries, limited-edition flavors inspired by Italian desserts like tiramisu-filled doughnuts, and a surge in food delivery-focused doughnut kitchens. Key players include Ciambelline Bakery known for its handmade Nutella doughnuts, Ciambellone Roma blending Italian pastry tradition with American-style presentation, Dunkin’ Italy expanding through partnerships and delivery apps and Mr. Donuts, offering fun-sized doughnuts in bulk packs for families and events. These players meet market demand for fun, fast, and flavorful products. Opportunities lie in regional customization like pistachio cream in the South or limoncello glaze in the North and entering tourist hubs with doughnut gift boxes or café combos. Required compliances include HACCP certification, IFS Food, and EU origin labeling, which solve issues around hygiene, transparency, and sourcing credibility. These certifications help brands gain shelf space in supermarkets, enter export chains, and build consumer confidence. Latest trends include doughnut gelato sandwiches during summer, mini-doughnuts for aperitivo platters, and influencer-themed releases these trends catch on because they combine Italy’s deep food culture with a sense of fun, fusion, and everyday indulgence.

Yeast doughnuts hold a notable position, though their shape and preparation often differ from the classic American ring style. Italian yeast doughnuts, known as “bomboloni,” are round, filled with custard, jam, or chocolate, and are a beloved breakfast or afternoon treat across regions like Tuscany and Lazio. These doughnuts are prized for their soft, airy texture and delicate sweetness, often dusted with powdered sugar rather than glazed. Cake doughnuts are less common but have gained traction among younger consumers and tourists seeking variety; their denser crumb and flavor versatility appeal to specialty bakeries and cafés experimenting with chocolate, citrus zest, or almond infusions. Filled doughnuts represent a significant segment in Italy, with regional variations such as Sicilian cassata-inspired cream fillings or ricotta-based custards, reflecting Italy’s rich dessert traditions. Frosted or glazed doughnuts are less prevalent in traditional Italian markets but are becoming popular in metropolitan areas and tourist hubs, where international chains and artisan bakeries incorporate chocolate ganache, fruit glazes, or nut toppings, catering to modern indulgence seekers. The others category includes mini doughnuts served at festivals and fairs, often sprinkled with sugar or drizzled with honey, as well as savory doughnuts filled with cheeses like mozzarella or toppings such as rosemary and sea salt, inspired by Italy’s love for savory pastries and street food. Mochi doughnuts have niche appeal in cosmopolitan cities like Milan and Rome, where fusion cuisine trends thrive.

The sales channels for doughnuts in Italy are a blend of tradition and modern convenience, reflecting the country’s culinary culture and evolving retail environment. Traditional bakeries remain the backbone of doughnut distribution, especially in smaller towns and older urban neighborhoods, where fresh bomboloni are prepared daily using family recipes passed down through generations. These bakeries serve both local residents and tourists eager to experience authentic Italian pastries. Retail chains and supermarkets are increasingly stocking packaged doughnuts, primarily targeting urban consumers who seek convenience and longer shelf life options. While supermarkets like Coop and Conad offer a variety of locally produced and imported doughnuts, premium grocery stores and delicatessens focus on high-quality artisanal products. Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) specializing in doughnuts are relatively rare in Italy compared to other markets, but international chains have started establishing outlets in major cities, particularly targeting younger demographics and tourists with familiar products. Convenience stores and kiosks, particularly near train stations and airports, sell single-serve doughnuts for on-the-go consumption, catering to commuters and travelers. Online retail and food delivery services have grown rapidly, especially post-pandemic, with platforms like Deliveroo and Glovo partnering with artisanal bakeries and international brands to offer fresh and frozen doughnuts for home delivery. Cafés and coffee shops across Italy, ranging from historic espresso bars to modern specialty cafés, offer doughnuts as a complementary sweet snack to coffee, often pairing local pastries with international doughnut varieties. Mobile food trucks and pop-up stalls appear frequently during festivals, fairs, and outdoor markets, selling mini doughnuts or seasonal specialties, capitalizing on Italy’s rich tradition of street food and community gatherings.

Individual consumers form the largest segment, with doughnuts frequently purchased for breakfast, afternoon snacks, or casual desserts at home or cafés. Italians’ preference for freshly made products means that purchases are often local, although packaged options are gaining popularity among younger, busier consumers in urban centers. Catering services represent a vital segment, supplying doughnuts for corporate events, weddings, and social celebrations, where customized or regional specialty flavors are in demand. Italian catering firms often include doughnuts as part of dessert buffets alongside traditional sweets like tiramisu and cannoli. Corporate offices and business environments, especially in metropolitan areas such as Milan and Rome, procure doughnuts for meetings, employee breaks, and special occasions, often ordering in bulk from premium bakeries or through QSR partnerships. Events and occasions, from local festivals to private celebrations, provide a significant boost to doughnut sales, with demand peaking during Carnevale and other cultural festivities when sweet treats are in high demand. The others category includes transportation hubs such as train stations and airports, where travelers seek quick snacks, and educational institutions offering doughnuts during special school events or canteen menus. Italy’s end-user segment reflects a market balancing tradition and modern lifestyle needs, with consumers valuing quality, freshness, and authenticity in their doughnut choices.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Doughnuts Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product Type
• Yeast Doughnuts
• Cake Doughnuts
• Filled Doughnuts
• Frosted/Glazed Doughnuts
• Others (mini, powdered, mochi, savory)

By Sales Channel
• Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs)
• Retail Chains
• Convenience Stores
• Online Retail
• Cafés & Coffee Shops
• Bakeries
• Others (Amusement Parks & Zoos, Mobile Food Trucks & Pop-ups)

By End User
• Individual Consumers
• Catering Services
• Corporate Offices
• Events & Occasions
• Others (Transportation Hubs & Airlines, Educational Institutions)

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary as well as secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and listing out the companies that are present in the market. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual report of companies, analyzing the government generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources primary research was conducted by making telephonic interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducted trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this we have started doing primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting consumers in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us we have started verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations & organizations related to this industry, government bodies and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing & presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry. Show more