Ho Chi Minh City International Food Industry Exhibition 2023 is coming soon

On May 19, Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC), in collaboration with the Food and Foodstuff Association of the City (FFA) and related units, held a press conference on information about the Ho Chi Minh City International Food Industry Exhibition 2023 (HCMC FOODEX 2023).

According to Mr. Tran Phu Lu, Deputy Director in charge of the Investment and Trade Promotion Center of Ho Chi Minh City (ITPC), HCMC FOODEX 2023 is the second event held with a scale of about 300 booths with the participation of more than 200 domestic and international enterprises participating in the display and introduction of food products, technological equipment, processing, packaging and preserving machinery.

The food industry has always been one of Vietnam's essential and potential economic sectors. Currently, Vietnam has signed many free trade agreements, and the issue of ensuring food security is being concerned by many countries in the face of the global food crisis, which has brought many development opportunities and advantages for enterprises in Vietnam's food production and processing industry.

The food processing industry is one of the four critical industries prioritized for the development of HCMC. The production capacity of the city's food production enterprises is not only sufficient to meet the consumption needs of the city people and the domestic market. Still, it has also been exported to many markets around the world.

However, the food processing industry faces many difficulties and challenges under the problematic impact of the world economy and the domestic economy, especially export activities dropped sharply over the same period.

According to a report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the export turnover of agricultural, forestry and fishery products in April 2023 was estimated at US$ 4.54 billion, down 8.3% over the same period last year; In the first 4 months of 2023, the export of agricultural, forestry and fishery products reached US$ 15.66 billion, down 13.3% over the same period last year.

Notably, the City's export turnover in the first 4 months of 2023 also decreased by 19.8% over the same period; the Industrial production index of the food and beverage industry of the City fell by 0.8% over the same period in 2022.

"Food production and business enterprises need most at this time are support policies to stabilize production, trade promotion activities, to help businesses recover soon, overcome difficulties and improve business performance, seek and expand domestic consumption and export markets, towards the goal of sustainable development," said Mr. Lu.

HCMC FOODEX 2023 is organized with the desire to support food production enterprises to introduce products with Vietnamese brands and good quality to the world market; supporting businesses to connect and trade; access information, and develop strategies to innovate machinery and advanced technology into the production process, helping to improve competitiveness, product quality and expand domestic and export markets.

According to Mr. Nguyen Dang Hien, Vice Chairman of the Food and Foodstuff Association of Ho Chi Minh City (FFA), this exhibition will give Ho Chi Minh City food businesses the opportunity to expand their communication activities; introduce Vietnamese-branded products to domestic, regional and international markets as well as approach, learn and innovate advanced technology machinery and equipment into the production and business process; helping businesses take the initiative in researching new products of high quality and safety, able to compete in domestic and export markets.

“This is also a place where businesses operating in all value chain segments of the food industry at home and abroad can discuss, exchange ideas, and establish professional business relationships and develop together," said Mr. Hien.

Within the framework of the Exhibition, there are many seminars and talks on topics such as: "New trends and technologies in the processed food industry"; "Improving competitiveness for food industry enterprises entering the Chinese market"; “Strategies and challenges for food businesses when entering the global market”; “The future of green, clean and sustainable food”.

B2B trade connection activities with three main connection sessions between food production enterprises and distribution units, modern supermarkets; food production enterprises and e-commerce channels; food producers and international buyers. And a series of seminars, networking activities, and demonstrations to promote new products and technologies from exhibitors.

The highlight of HCMC FOODEX 2023 is programs and activities to introduce and promote Vietnamese and international culinary culture throughout the exhibition period. HCMC FOODEX 2023 is expected to attract 18,000 visitors to work and visit.