The 26th edition of the FHC food exhibition, hosted at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC), was officially inaugurated and is set to welcome professional visitors until November 10. This event has attracted considerable attention from Italian food companies, capitalizing on the lucrative prospects within the Chinese economy. It serves as a vital strategic platform for advancing the awareness and distribution of Italian culinary offerings in the vast Asian market. For over two decades, the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) has masterfully orchestrated the collective participation of leading Italian enterprises, consistently sparking tremendous enthusiasm among industry insiders.
The current edition anticipates participation from over 3,000 exhibitors hailing from 50 countries and regions, presenting an array of top-tier food and beverage products to an audience numbering 150,000.
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ITALIAN CULINARY PRESENCE IN CHINA
The Italian contribution to FHC 2023 assumes even greater significance in the context of the current global economic landscape. In 2022, Italy’s export of food and beverage products to China reached a total value of 339 million euros, with an impressive 34 million euros attributed solely to categories such as coffee, tea, mate, and spices. Notably, the latter category witnessed a remarkable year-on-year surge of +20.82%.
THE ITALIAN PAVILION AT FHC 2023
The collective initiative organized by the Italian Trade Agency accommodates 20 of Italy’s most distinguished companies, spanning critical segments of the food industry. The Italian Pavilion, maintaining its presence in hall 4 at stands N4B01+N4P01+N4B20, has brought together over 40 Italian firms to partake in this prestigious exhibition.
The exhibition hosts a dedicated ITA desk, aimed at extending a warm reception to Chinese visitors and facilitating businesses. Furthermore, an open space for culinary demonstrations is available, offering Italian enterprises a platform for conducting business meetings, engaging in animated product presentations, and indulging in gastronomic tastings. The exhibition zone is dedicated to Italian culinary excellence, featuring seminars that delve into the legacy of traditional ingredients, cooking displays, and a spotlight on dairy products, as well as the promotion of 26 Italian PGI products, which are the subject of the latest trade agreement between China and the EU.
The official opening ceremony unfolded in the Pavilion’s lounge, graced by the participation of the Italian Consulate General in Shanghai. This event also serves as a launchpad for activities during the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World, which takes place from November 13 to 19, with the theme for this year being “A tavola con la cucina italiana: il benessere con gusto” (At the table with Italian cuisine: wellness with flavor).
CIBUS AND TUTTOFOOD
ITA Shanghai has also collaborated with Fiere di Parma for a special event scheduled for November 9 at the DaVittorio Bistrot in Shanghai. This event will see the presentation of Cibus 2024 and Tuttofood 2025 to the discerning Chinese market.
