OREANDA-NEWS. August 15, 2016. Eight British Columbia (B.C.) food companies will have the fruits of their labour on display at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Food Expo, Asia's largest consumer food industry event, from August 11-15, 2016.

This year, the Ministry of International Trade and B.C.'s Trade and Investment Representative Office in Hong Kong organized a delegation of eight B.C. companies to attend or have their products represented at the expo in order to expand B.C. exports to international markets and raise awareness of quality B.C. agrifood products.

These products will be on display in the Canada Pavilion at the Food Expo in collaboration with the Canadian Food Exporters Association. The ministry has also organized one-on-one business meetings, a local grocery store and market tour, and a reception between B.C. company representatives and potential buyers and distributors.

Quick facts

  • The Food Expo attracted more than 470,000 public visitors in 2015 and featured nearly 1,200 exhibitors from 24 countries around the world.
  • B.C. companies will have the opportunity to attract new customers from more than 20,000 quality global food product buyers from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Europe and emerging markets.

Quotes

"Canadian companies produce some of the best food products in the world and the government is working hard to ensure we can bring those products to world markets. The HKTDC Food Expo provides an invaluable opportunity to promote our world-class products to customers from around the world. I wish every success to all the exhibitors."

- Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

"The Hong Kong Food Expo provides a unique opportunity for B.C. agrifoods companies to connect with buyers and potential partners from all over the world. B.C.'s fresh, high-quality agrifoods products are in great demand in Asia, and our ministry is committed to helping B.C. businesses take advantage of the opportunities this presents. By showcasing British Columbia's products at this food expo, these B.C. companies are reaching approximately half a million consumers and 20,000 buyers over the course of just one week."

- Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade

"We have participated in a couple of food trade shows in Hong Kong, and each time the B.C. government's Hong Kong trade and investment office has been invaluable in their assistance in helping to make them a success. Their knowledge and connections in Hong Kong continue to amaze me. I attribute much of our success to this B.C. government office."

- Terry Bremner, proprietor, Bremner Foods

"We have participated in the food expo both directly and with our agents in Hong Kong for 11 years. The expo is an opportunity to showcase our products – high quality, specialty Canadian goods. It allows us to test our products with consumers in Hong Kong to understand their needs, price points, tastes and what's trending. The expo is one of those places where companies will try out new things and launch new products –it's great way to be a part of the commercial retail buzz in Hong Kong."

- Marco Mazzucco, vice president, ASTI Holdings