Hong Kong’s Food Expo, Food Expo PRO, International Tea Fair, Home Delights Expo and Beauty & Wellness Expo drew more than 520,000 visits this year, setting a new attendance record and reinforcing the city's position as a key platform for food trade and consumer trends in Asia.
Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the five fairs brought together more than 1,850 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions. The trade-focused Food Expo PRO and Hong Kong International Tea Fair also attracted around 20,000 buyers from 64 countries and regions, including the Chinese Mainland, Japan, Korea and major ASEAN markets.
The strong international participation reflected Hong Kong's continuing role as a gateway connecting Mainland suppliers with overseas markets, while also providing insights into evolving consumer preferences, particularly in health, wellness and sustainable consumption.
"This year's fairs received an enthusiastic response, with record visitor numbers and per capita spending reflecting strong demand for quality food, healthy living and new consumer experiences," said HKTDC Associate Executive Director Smilely Lam.
Health and wellness drive spending
A survey of more than 1,430 visitors found that average spending reached $1,685 per person, with more than 80% of respondents expressing interest in health and wellness-related products.
The trend was evident across the fairgrounds. At the Beauty & Wellness Expo, visitors explored products and services ranging from fitness and health solutions to aromatherapy experiences. The Home Delights Expo also featured sleep technology and wellness-oriented lifestyle products, reflecting growing consumer interest in preventive health and quality-of-life solutions.
Mainland products expand reach
One of the most significant business outcomes arose from the HKTDC’s efforts to help Chinese Mainland agricultural products reach overseas markets through Hong Kong. More than 100 agricultural enterprises from over ten Mainland provinces and regions showcased more than 1,000 specialty products this year and recorded intended transactions exceeding HK$1.8 billion, a new high for both participation and deal value.
Highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a connector, Director-General of the Agricultural Trade Promotion Centre at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Peng Tingjun said: “Hong Kong is not merely a market; it serves as a bridgehead for Mainland agricultural products to reach the world and a golden gateway connecting them with global buyers.”
Echoing the sentiment, Hong Kong SAR Chief Secretary for Administration Chan Kwok-ki said: “Enterprises do not need to start from scratch when exploring overseas markets; by making good use of Hong Kong as a platform to reach the world, they can achieve twice the result with half the effort.”
During the event, the Hong Kong Environment and Ecology Bureau signed cooperation agreements with representatives from Hunan, Xizang and Shandong to facilitate the sale of products in each other’s regions and jointly explore overseas markets.
Among the notable outcomes, one exhibitor at the debut Xizang Pavilion announced a cooperation project with an estimated annual value exceeding RMB100 million (HK$116 million), while Henan-based exhibitor Yunong Youpin reported making connections with potential wholesale partners in Kazakhstan.
Mainland exporters were also a focus at the dedicated Matcha Tea Pavilion, where exhibitors noted strong interest from buyers across Hong Kong, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, Europe and the US, both for bulk matcha powder and drink-dispensing machines.
Rising interest in halal products
The growing halal market was another standout theme. For the third consecutive year, Food Expo PRO and Food Expo featured a halal food and beverage label, with more than 130 suppliers showcasing halal-certified products from around the world. Among survey respondents familiar with the labelling, 53% agreed it helped promote halal products and improve consumer recognition.
The fairs also highlighted Hong Kong's international showcasing role. The Korea Pavilion expanded by 40% this year, becoming the largest overseas pavilion at the event. More than 130 Korean exhibitors participated, underscoring the importance of Hong Kong as both a consumer market and a gateway to the Greater Bay Area and wider Asian region.
Beyond product showcases and business matching, the International Conference of the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products was held alongside the fairs, bringing together experts from 11 countries and regions to discuss regulation, innovation and global market development.
Together, the combination of record attendance, strong buyer participation and vibrant deal-making at the fairs highlighted Hong Kong's leading role as a meeting point for producers, buyers and consumers from around the world.