The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) announced that its five concurrent fairs—Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo, Home Delights Expo, Food Expo PRO, and Hong Kong International Tea Fair—concluded successfully, drawing over 520,000 public visits, an all-time record. Per capita spending reached a new high of HK$1,685, reflecting strong consumer demand for gourmet food, healthy living, and quality home products.
The trade-oriented Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair attracted nearly 20,000 buyers from 64 countries and regions, including Chinese Mainland, Macao, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and ASEAN nations. This underscores Hong Kong's role as a premier food trading hub, connecting Mainland China with international markets.
Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of HKTDC, highlighted the fairs' success: "This year's fairs received an enthusiastic response. Attendance recorded solid growth, and per capita spending reached a record high alongside visitor numbers, reflecting the strong market demand for quality food, healthy living, and novel experiences." She added that the fairs showcased the latest trends in health and wellness, creating more business opportunities for the industry.
A random survey of over 1,430 visitors revealed that 87% spent as much or more than budgeted, with health and wellness products particularly popular. Over 80% expressed interest in such products, with health and functional foods (62%) and supplements (51%) topping the list. The halal food label gained traction, with 53% believing it promotes halal products, and 51% noted the silver-age products, indicating growth potential in these segments.
The public fairs featured five themed days, drawing large crowds with special offers and interactive experiences. The Food Expo's Gourmet Zone introduced a chewy treats market, which was well-received. Uni-China Group's Henry Ling expected total sales of HK$1 million to HK$1.4 million from its 12 participating exhibitors.
The Beauty & Wellness Expo included aroma-emotion testing and a new "Stay Relax" zone. Vogue Bio's founder Alan Ho reported that its buy-one-get-one-free promotion was popular, with expected sales exceeding HK$1 million, far surpassing expectations. The Home Delights Expo showcased smart home solutions and sleep technology; the Sleep Health Association's "Go Sleep Exp" attracted many visitors.
The fairs also facilitated significant trade deals. The "Going Global" event for Mainland agricultural products saw intended transactions exceeding HK$1.8 billion, with MoUs signed between Hong Kong and Hunan, Xizang, and Shandong. The Xizang Pavilion debuted and secured a cooperation agreement worth over RMB100 million annually for cordyceps. Korean Pavilion expanded by 40%, becoming the largest overseas pavilion, and HKTDC signed an MoU with Korea Agro-fisheries & Food Trade Corporation.
Halal food offerings expanded, with over 130 suppliers participating. Tai Po Chun Hing, a local brand, introduced halal-certified beef tendon balls and expected orders of HK$500,000 to HK$1 million. Singapore-based SBY Frozen Food Supply identified Brazilian suppliers for potential annual procurement of US$3-5 million.
The Food Science and Technology Zone attracted buyer interest, with IXON Food Technology receiving over 200 enquiries on the first day, potentially worth US$500,000 to US$1.3 million. The Coffee Zone highlighted market growth, with Hawaii Coffee Association connecting with over 100 buyers.
The Hong Kong International Tea Fair introduced a "Tea Lifestyle" zone, and BASAO, a local tea brand, held around 30 business meetings. The Chinese Mainland Matcha Pavilion connected with international buyers, including a Thai company interested in 20 tonnes of matcha powder. Kenya's Tea Board reported potential deals over US$10 million.
The fairs adopted a hybrid model, allowing online negotiations via Click2Match until 22 August. Additionally, the International Conference on Modernization of Chinese Medicine discussed regulatory policies and innovation, featuring over 30 speakers from 11 countries.
These results reinforce Hong Kong's position as a vital trade platform and its robust consumer market, driven by health and wellness trends.
