The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) opened its 36th Food Expo, along with the Beauty & Wellness Expo and Home Delights Expo, today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Running from 13 to 17 August, the fairs bring together over 1,850 exhibitors from more than 30 countries and regions, creating a vibrant marketplace that spans food, tea, home living, beauty, and wellness sectors. The central theme, ‘Live Well. Stay Well,’ reflects the growing importance of wellness in everyday life, from the food we eat to the products we use at home.
At the opening ceremony, Dr Jonathan Choi, HKTDC Council Member, highlighted the fairs' role in promoting healthier lifestyles. ‘Today, wellness has become an integral part of everyday life. It is reflected in the food and beverages we enjoy, the way we care for our home and how we nurture our physical and mental well-being,’ he said. Sophia Chong, HKTDC Executive Director, emphasized Hong Kong's position as a trade hub, connecting global food enterprises with the Chinese Mainland and Asian markets.
The fairs feature Five Themed Days, each focusing on a different aspect of quality living. The first day, ‘Happy Eat Happy Life,’ showcases wellness-oriented products such as cistanche health drinks, ready-to-eat bird's nest, and organic dried blueberries. The Home Delights Expo introduces a high-speed food processor that prepares texture-modified meals for the elderly and those with swallowing difficulties. The Beauty & Wellness Expo offers free health assessments, including traditional Chinese wellness consultations and cardiovascular tests, in partnership with Mannings.
On 14 August, ‘The World in Blink’ centers on visual enjoyment, featuring global delicacies like South African honey, Finnair's inflight chocolate, and Chiu Chow style foie gras toast. Asian flavours include pandan chiffon cakes from Singapore and Korean probiotic yoghurt. The Beauty & Wellness Expo displays innovative beauty devices and clear aligners.
‘Coffee or Tea?’ on 15 August spotlights both beverages. The Coffee Zone returns with Yunnan's truffle-flavoured drip coffee and Myanmar Arabica beans, while the Hong Kong International Tea Fair presents rare teas such as purple bud raw Pu'er and ceremonial-grade matcha from Guizhou and Zhejiang. New zones include the Yixing Zisha Teaware Pavilion and a ‘Tea Lifestyle’ area featuring tea-infused beer and Zen bonsai displays.
‘Stay Fresh, Stay Ahead’ on 16 August focuses on premium fresh produce. The Fish Marketing Organization and Vegetable Marketing Organization introduce their new brand, ‘Hong Kong Harvest,’ while the Chinese Mainland pavilion presents regional delicacies like Yunnan ham and Xinjiang wines. The Gourmet Zone celebrates its 15th edition with 15 star chefs demonstrating dishes, including Chiu Chow pan-fried Bombay duck.
On the final day, ‘Let’s Chill’ offers relaxation with the Beauty & Wellness Expo's new ‘Stay Relax’ zone featuring red-light therapy pods. The Home Delights Expo introduces ‘Go Sleep Exp,’ an immersive exhibit on sleep health. The Food Expo debuts a Dessert and Gelato Theme with over 100 flavours, including handmade mochi and sourdough mille-feuille.
For trade visitors, Food Expo PRO introduces a ‘Meat Zone’ and a ‘Food Science and Technology Zone’ focusing on alternative proteins and future foods. A Hong Kong exhibitor uses patented packaging to preserve pet food without preservatives, tapping into the pet economy. A halal food label returns for the third year, with over 130 exhibitors participating.
The International Conference on the Modernization of Chinese Medicine & Health Products (ICMCM) runs concurrently, focusing on ‘Clinical Translation, Regulatory Policies and Global Innovative Pathways of Traditional Medicine.’ The conference, expanded to three days, features 30 speakers from around the world and supports Hong Kong's role in Chinese medicine innovation.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, the HKTDC offers special promotions, including free admission before noon for the first 600 visitors each day, and daily lucky draws with prizes worth over HK$1 million. Visitors can also participate in the ‘Smart Bidding’ session and access deals through the August Happy Buy campaign website (https://ecoupon.hktdc.com/food/tabs/home).
