The 27th edition of FHC Food and Hospitality China opened today at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) and will run until November 14. Over 3,000 exhibitors from 50 countries are showcasing premium food and beverage products to an expected 170,000 visitors.
The FHC exhibition is widely regarded as the key trade show for the food sector in China and its neighboring regions. Italian food companies continue to show strong interest, driven by the vast opportunities in China’s robust economy. For more than 20 years, the Italian Trade Agency has organized Italy’s collective participation, with this year’s contingent 50% larger than in previous editions.
In 2023, Italy exported food and beverages worth USD 761 million to China, a 2.18% increase, while China’s total food imports fell by 5.14%. From January to September 2024, Italian agri-food exports to China reached USD 607 million, up 11.38% compared to the same period in 2023, even as total food imports to China declined by 10.81%.
Top Italian exports to China in 2023 included:
- Cocoa preparations: Italy leads with a 34% market share, valued at USD 95 million.
- Cheese: Italy ranks third, with USD 39 million in exports.
- Pasta: Italy remains the top exporter with 44% of the market, valued at USD 28 million.
- Food preparations: Saw a 51.88% year-on-year increase, reaching USD 96 million.
This year, 30 Italian companies are showcasing their products at FHC 2024 in Shanghai, located in Hall 3 at stands N3B01+N3B20+N3A01+N3P01. The pavilion will feature seminars on traditional ingredients, cooking demonstrations, and a special focus on promoting 26 Italian PGI products covered by the China-EU agreement.
The official event at the Italian Pavilion, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai, will take place on November 13. It will also mark the launch of the Italian Cuisine Week in the World (November 16-22), with the 2024 theme: “Mediterranean Diet and Rooted Cuisine: Health and Tradition.”