The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) announced today that its five food and wellness fairs concluded successfully, drawing over 520,000 public visits—a record high—and generating per capita spending of HK$1,685, reflecting robust consumer confidence and a growing preference for health and wellness products.
The fairs, including the Food Expo, Beauty & Wellness Expo, Home Delights Expo, Food Expo PRO, and Hong Kong International Tea Fair, brought together more than 1,850 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions. The two trade fairs, Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair, attracted some 20,000 buyers from 64 countries and regions, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a key food trading hub. The event also featured the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products, which concluded on 15 August.
Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of HKTDC, noted that the fairs' success underscores strong market demand for quality food, healthy living, and novel experiences. “This year's five fairs, themed 'Live Well · Stay Well', comprehensively showcased the latest trends in the health and wellness sector, creating more business opportunities for the industry,” she said.
A survey conducted during the fairs revealed that over 80% of visitors were interested in health and wellness products, with health and functional foods (62%), health supplements (51%), and wellness products (40%) being the most sought-after categories. The survey also highlighted growing interest in halal-certified products and silver-age offerings, indicating significant market potential in these segments.
The public fairs saw strong sales, with exhibitors reporting impressive results. For instance, Uni-China Group expected total sales of HK$1 million to HK$1.4 million, while wellness brand Vogue Bio anticipated exceeding HK$1 million in sales. The Home Delights Expo featured smart home solutions and sleep technology, with the Sleep Health Association's “Go Sleep Exp” attracting many visitors seeking sleep improvement advice.
The trade fairs facilitated significant business deals, particularly for mainland Chinese enterprises. The Chinese Mainland premium agricultural products “Going Global” event recorded intended transactions exceeding HK$1.8 billion, with Memoranda of Understanding signed between Hong Kong and Hunan, Xizang, and Shandong. Xizang's pavilion signed a deal valued at over RMB100 million, and Henan Yunong Youpin connected with Kazakhstan partners for an agricultural industrial park.
International participation also expanded, with the Korea Pavilion growing by 40% to become the largest overseas pavilion. The HKTDC signed an MoU with the Korea Agro-fisheries & Food Trade Corporation to strengthen cooperation. The halal food sector saw notable interest, with Singapore-based SBY Frozen Food Supply identifying Brazilian suppliers and expecting annual procurement of US$3-5 million.
The Food Expo PRO's “Food Science and Technology Zone” attracted strong buyer interest, with IXON Food Technology receiving over 200 enquiries and potential business valued at US$500,000 to US$1.3 million. The coffee market also gained traction, with Hawaii Coffee Association connecting with over 100 buyers.
The Hong Kong International Tea Fair introduced new zones, including “Tea Lifestyle” and a Chinese Mainland Matcha Pavilion, where a Thai company expressed interest in purchasing 20 tonnes of matcha powder. The Kenya Pavilion reported potential deals exceeding US$10 million.
The fairs adopted a hybrid model, “EXHIBITION+”, allowing online negotiations until 22 August via the “Click2Match” platform. The International Conference on Chinese Medicine modernization fostered global collaboration, with over 30 speakers from 11 countries discussing regulatory policies and market trends.
These record-breaking fairs highlight the sustained vitality of Hong Kong's consumer market and its pivotal role as a bridge between Mainland China and global markets, particularly in the health and wellness sector.
