As we move into the peak summer months, we’re seeing a clear seasonal shift in shopper and diner behaviour. Lighter meals, outdoor dining, and Mediterranean flavours are all playing a bigger role — and Italian food continues to be a go-to, thanks to its versatility, familiarity, and strong consumer appeal.
At Atlante, we work closely with our retail and foodservice partners to help them stay ahead of these seasonal trends. Here’s a quick overview of what’s performing well and where the commercial opportunities are this summer.
Mozzarella & Fresh Cheese Sales Spike
Soft Italian cheeses always enjoy a lift in warmer weather, and this summer is no different. Mozzarella is finding its way into chilled meals, salads, and sharing platters, with demand rising in both retail and hospitality. Fior di latte, mozzarella pearls, and burrata are especially popular, driven by a move toward lighter, plant-forward meals and premium, ready-to-eat formats. In retail, cross-merchandising with tomatoes, salad leaves, and antipasti works well, while in foodservice, these cheeses shine on seasonal menus and food-to-go options. Export volumes have had a huge increase and we are proactively scaling supply to keep pace.
Pasta for Summer: From Farfalle to Fusilli
Short pasta shapes like farfalle, fusilli, and penne rigate are summer staples, lending themselves perfectly to cold salads, deli's and sides for barbecues. They pair beautifully with light, flavourful recipes suited to outdoor eating, picnics, and casual gatherings. In retail, no-cook meal inspiration is on the rise, while in foodservice, prep-ahead pasta dishes that travel well are in demand. Our range includes a huge variety, from essentials to premium, as well as more specialty options like wholegrain and organic formats, available in both consumer and professional pack sizes.
Antipasti & Grazing: Still a Summer Favourite
Mediterranean-style grazing boards remain a go-to for summer entertaining, with antipasti performing strongly in both chilled and ambient categories. Grilled vegetables, olives, marinated artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes are consistently top sellers. In retail, variety packs and mix-and-match deals attract shoppers and encourage trade-up. For foodservice, pre-prepared antipasti keeps waste low, margins healthy, and menus flexible. Thanks to our long-term producer relationships, we can offer high-quality lines with private-label potential.
Aperitivo Culture Creating New Sales Moments
The Italian aperitivo moment — snacks paired with pre-dinner drinks — continues to grow in popularity in the UK. In retail, linking small plates and savoury snacks with chilled wines or spritzes is a simple way to build basket size. In hospitality, aperitivo menus offer a low-effort way to boost early evening trade and increase spend per head. Breadsticks, taralli, olives, Italian cheeses, and sparkling drinks make perfect pairings, and our Italian partners provide the capacity to meet demand.
Tomato Season: Peak Availability, Strong Provenance
June to September marks the height of the Italian tomato season, with San Marzano, Roma, and Datterini varieties in full swing. This is a prime time for promoting freshness and provenance, as demand rises for passata, chopped tomatoes, and Datterini across both retail and foodservice. In retail, lighter sauces and tomato-based dips perform well; in foodservice, these varieties are ideal for bruschetta toppings, pasta sauces, and other quick-prep dishes. Working directly with growers allows us to offer short lead times and seasonal availability, giving our partners a competitive edge.
Why Partner with Atlante for your Seasonal Supply?
Italian products naturally align with how UK consumers eat in summer: fresh, simple, and quality-led. For retailers and operators, that translates into strong flexibility across ranges, room for cross-selling, and clear commercial returns.
Atlante UK has 30 years’ experience sourcing and transporting Italian products that are seasonal and on trend, delivering on flavour, quality, and customer appeal. From chilled mozzarella to ambient antipasti and versatile pasta formats, our range is designed to help you meet seasonal demand and maximise margin.
Contact us at info@atlanteuk.co.uk or visit www.atlanteuk.co.uk to request our latest product catalogue.
