Asia’s only dedicated fresh fruit and vegetable trade show – which returns to Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo Center on 2-4 September – is enjoying record exhibitor demand this year. Companies from 35 different countries have signed up to showcase their products and services at the event, while sales of exhibition space have already outstripped last year’s show by more than 20 per cent.
Many of the exhibiting countries are seeking to capitalise on Asia’s booming import demand. According to a recent report from Asiafruit Magazine, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, collective fresh fruit imports by 10 key Asian markets have increased by some 250 per cent over the past two decades to reach almost 10m tonnes in 2014.
As well as providing a gateway for global suppliers targeting Asia’s fast-growing consumer markets, Asia Fruit Logisitica is the leading international platform for Asian exhibiting countries seeking to increase their exports.
Malaysia, which has already booked 70 per cent more exhibition space compared with this time last year, is capitalising on the growing intra-Asian trade in fresh fruit and vegetables at the show. Malaysia’s Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (FAMA) will be back with the Ministry of Agriculture to showcase a range of mainly tropical fruits at Asia Fruit Logisitica 2015, following what it described as “a very encouraging response” to its debut appearance at last year’s show.
“Hong Kong is Malaysia’s traditional market for fresh produce exports and our durian has been making a big impact there for the past few years,” said FAMA’s Chang Lee Nam. “At Asia Fruit Logisitica we can connect with importers and retail buyers, not only from Hong Kong, but also from mainland China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and South Korea. They’re all seeking to line up supply deals for the coming season and there is a lot of business matching at the event.”
Other Asian exhibiting nations are also ramping up their presence at Asia Fruit Logisitica 2015. Taiwan has doubled its bookings for stand space versus this time last year while Korea has increased its exhibition space by 80 per cent.
Well over 8,000 top-level buyers and trade professionals from more than 60 countries are expected to attend Asia Fruit Logisitica. Visitors can purchase their tickets online at www.asiafruitlogistica.com/tickets and make a 40 per cent saving on their entrance fee compared with buying tickets on the door.
Visitors with full-access passes get entry to Asiafruit Congress, Asia’s premier conference, which takes on 1 September, the day before Asia Fruit Logisitica opens its doors. The conference attracts more than 400 delegates from almost 40 countries and it’s a must-attend for anyone looking to get an in-depth insight to the latest market trends and opportunities in Asia, and to learn strategies for higher sales and better marketing. For regular programme updates and speaker profiles, visit www.asiafruitcongress.com
Asiafruit Congress also hosts the presentation of the Asia Fruit Awards, which are organised by Asiafruit Magazine and Asia Fruit Logisitica to celebrate excellence in Asia’s fresh produce business. The conference concludes on 1 September with the official Asiafruit Congress-Asia Fruit Logisitica-Cool Logistics Asia Welcome Reception, a gala cocktail event not to be missed.
Information opportunities continue at Asia Fruit Logisitica with the Asiafruit Business Forum, a programme of two workshop-style sessions held each day on the show floor. This year’s programme covers a range of topics, from country-of-origin branding to how to select the best new varieties for your business.
