HONG KONG | Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Food Expo PRO opened to the public at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Due to the Black Rainstorm Warning Signal, the opening of the fairs was delayed, and the first session of the International Conference on the Modernisation of Chinese Medicine was livestreamed.
Several exhibitors expressed that their special offers remained unchanged. Among them, Phelix Pun from Ng Fung Hong Limited shared that staff arrived as usual to prepare for the exhibition. They hoped that, once the exhibition opened, it would continue to boost their business, with the planned special offers and interactive games proceeding as scheduled.
The first day focused on the variety of Chinese and Western tea beverages. Visitors enjoyed premium matcha and hojicha from Kyoto’s century-old Marukyu Koyamaen tea garden, blended with locally made fresh nut butter to create tea-flavoured gelato. The Nin Jiom Tea Pairing Lucky Bag included five functional teas with various health benefits. Additionally, Earl Grey tea infused with bergamot in drip-filter bags offers a refreshing citrus aroma.
Despite its small size, Hong Kong also boasts over 50 items on its intangible cultural heritage list related to food, showcasing its unique culinary culture. Exhibitors presented tea bags made with 100 percent Ceylon black tea, ready to brew for an effortless Hong Kong-style milk tea or Yuan Yang.
There was also handmade shrimp paste from Hong Kong’s last remaining licensed salted fish and shrimp paste factory, capturing the authentic flavours of Hong Kong’s fishing village heritage along with demonstrations of making traditional Hakka Sau Fan.
In recent years, organic farming has gained popularity, with growing demand for local produce. A cooking demonstration, co-organised by DRAGONS' DEN, the Vegetable Marketing Organisation, and the Fish Marketing Organisation at the Food Expo, used local ingredients to create healthy and delicious home-cooked dishes.
At the same time, the China National Agricultural Pavilion, organised by the Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Mainland China, presented a thousand agricultural and food products from 13 provinces, such as Korla fragrant pears, Xinjiang safflower seed oil, rainbow trout salmon, Guangdong lychee black tea, Lianzhou mustard greens, Hainan Wuzhishan large-leaf tea, Northeast black soil organic rice, and Yantai apples from the Qilu region.
"The 35th Food Expo celebrates an important milestone this year. The five-in-one mega event plays host to some 1,890 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions, serving as a one-stop destination and a vibrant marketplace for both trade professionals and consumers, where gourmet foods, fine teas, home essentials and beauty products can be found," said Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC.
"Meanwhile, Food Expo PRO is dedicated to boosting Hong Kong’s status as a premier business hub for the food industry, not just in Mainland China, but across Asia and the globe. It empowers F&B professionals to explore new opportunities, forge valuable connections, and drive innovation.”
The 3rd Food Expo PRO and the 35th Food Expo introduced a Halal food and beverage label last year to assist exhibitors in expanding into the halal product market. This year, the two expos featured over 120 food suppliers showcasing halal products from around the world, a 20 percent increase compared to last year.
The expo also strengthened collaborations with countries with thriving halal food markets. Group pavilions at the Food Expo PRO include ASEAN countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, enriching the variety of halal exhibits.
The Food Expo PRO introduced a new "Coffee Zone" this year, showcasing coffee products, accessories, and machines from various origins. Yunnan Province, China’s leading coffee bean producer, is represented by several Pu’er City companies exhibiting Kunlu Mountain and Jinpaoshan roasted beans and other products.
Another highlight, the "Food Science and Technology Zone”, presented alternative and future foods of interest to industry professionals. Today’s Food Tech Symposium explores the development of additive-free foods and clean labelling in Hong Kong. Exhibitors also targeted the silver economy, showcasing innovative products such as soft-textured mooncakes and cognitive health supplements developed by local exhibitors.
The 35th Food Expo PRO was held from the 14th to the 16th of August.
