HONG KONG — The 34th HKTDC Food Expo kicked off Thursday at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, drawing thousands of food enthusiasts and industry professionals to a five-day celebration of global cuisine, innovative products, and cultural experiences. Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the event runs from Aug. 15 to Aug. 19, 2024, alongside the Beauty & Wellness Expo, Home Delights Expo, Food Expo PRO, and Hong Kong International Tea Fair. The International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine and Health Products (ICMCM) also opened concurrently, running through Friday.
This year’s fairs welcomed 1,860 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a premier hub for food and lifestyle trade in Asia. Algernon Yau, Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, officiated the opening ceremony, joined by HKTDC Chairman Dr. Peter K.N. Lam and Executive Director Margaret Fong.
“We are excited to host exhibitors from across the globe, connecting them with consumers from Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and beyond,” Fong said during her opening remarks. “With four new thematic days, we’re offering a delightful range of activities to cater to every taste and interest.”
A Fresh Spin with Thematic Days
For the first time, the Food Expo introduced four lifestyle-inspired themes to enhance the visitor experience, each day spotlighting unique culinary and cultural highlights:
- Delights Across Mainland China (Aug. 15): The opening day celebrated the rich flavors of Mainland China, with the China National Agricultural Pavilion showcasing over 1,000 products from 12 provinces, including Liaoning sea cucumbers, Hunan camellia oil, and Xinjiang dates. At the Gourmet Zone’s Star Kitchen, Chef Lau Ka Wing of Hau Tak Restaurant demonstrated Cantonese cuisine techniques, while visitors sampled specialties like Guangdong’s frozen Fo Tiao Qiang and Shaanxi’s Luochuan apples.
- Happy Friday (Aug. 16): Designed to kick off the weekend, this day featured fine wines and spirits at promotional prices. Highlights included Juyondai sake tastings for HK$20 and exclusive draft beer buckets for HK$100. Mixology shows and food crafting demonstrations added flair, with the Beauty & Wellness Theatre hosting interactive workshops like rainbow calligraphy.
- Japan and Korea Express (Aug. 17): Visitors immersed themselves in Japanese and Korean culture through traditional dance, judo, and kimchi-making demonstrations. Food stalls offered delicacies like Korean frozen kimbap, Japanese Kurobuta dumplings, and Hadong black tea. Eight century-old Japanese businesses, hosted by the Research Institute of Centennial Management, showcased culinary staples like wagashi and miso.
- Wellness Weekend (Aug. 17-18): Spanning two days, this theme focused on health and relaxation. The Beauty & Wellness Expo introduced a Body Mind Spirit Zone, featuring products like Nepalese singing bowls and movable silent booths. The Food Expo’s Gourmet Stage highlighted latte art by Hong Kong Youth Latte Art Competition winners, while floral art workshops and sports therapy talks rounded out the experience.
Food Expo PRO and Tea Fair: A Trade Powerhouse
Running concurrently from Aug. 15 to Aug. 17, Food Expo PRO and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair catered to trade buyers for the first two days, opening to the public on the final day. Food Expo PRO, in its second year, emphasized Hong Kong’s role as a food industry hub, featuring pavilions from Mainland China, Japan, Korea, Poland, and ASEAN nations like Thailand and Vietnam. A new Halal food and beverage label highlighted over 120 exhibitors, a 20% increase from last year, showcasing products like Korean gochujang bibimbap and Thai fried seaweed.
The Hong Kong International Tea Fair, open to the public for all three days for the first time, featured pavilions from Fujian, Hunan, and Sri Lanka. Visitors explored premium teas, tea-pairing snacks, and innovative beverages, with events like the Hong Kong International Tea Competition and a Japanese tea ceremony demonstration highlighting tea culture.
Economic Impact and Exhibitor Success
The fairs underscored Hong Kong’s vibrant food and trade ecosystem. Exhibitors reported strong sales and networking opportunities. Taiwan’s Yu Hung Wang of Grass Lands Food Co. said, “The response has been exceptional—our jerky products might sell out by day four.” Hong Kong’s Ricky Leung of Prawn Management Limited noted interest from importers in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and Thailand for their haskap juice, highlighting the expo’s value for B2B and B2C expansion.
The HKTDC’s EXHIBITION+ model, integrating physical and online platforms, extended connections through Click2Match, an AI-enabled business matching tool available from Aug. 7 to Aug. 23.
Promotions and Entertainment Galore
Visitors enjoyed lucky draw prizes worth over HK$500,000 and Smart Bidding for food products starting at 10% of the original price. The “August Happy Buy” website offered over 130 discount coupons, while the Home Delights Expo celebrated its 10th edition with a Snoopy-themed “Hide & Seek” campaign, offering limited-edition houseware for selfies with Peanuts characters.
The ICMCM, co-organized by the Modernized Chinese Medicine International Association, featured 18 speakers discussing industry-university-research collaboration and clinical research on traditional medicine, further enriching the event’s scope.
A Culinary and Cultural Hub
Despite challenges like a Black Rainstorm Warning Signal on opening day, which delayed proceedings, the fairs extended hours to accommodate visitors, closing at 11 p.m. from Aug. 15 to Aug. 17. Tickets remained valid across all days, ensuring flexibility.
With its blend of global flavors, innovative products, and cultural experiences, the 34th Food Expo and its concurrent events solidified Hong Kong’s reputation as a dynamic hub for food, trade, and lifestyle. For more details, visit hkfoodexpo.hktdc.com and foodexpopro.hktdc.com.
