Annual trade exhibition kicks off in Wan Chai

The Restaurant, Bar and Cafe Hong Kong opens at the Wan Chai Convention and Exhibition Centre. It is a trade exhibition showcasing culinary innovations and opportunities. Some exhibitors see positives in Hong Kong's food and beverage industry.

This year's exhibition gathers more than 400 brands from 11 countries and regions, offering a wide array of products for business visitors and trade professionals.

While many businesses take part in the event every year, they say it is still important to be there when it helps create new opportunities.

According to the July Hong Kong retail sales figures, the food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco sector went up by 1.7%year-on-year. The month before the growth was 2.1%.

As a family business, this local food wholesale company supplies premium ingredients to high-end customers in town and Macao, including beef and seafood. But the company says maintaining the old operation style is not sufficient in this day and age. Associate Director James Kwong says "We started to source a lot more budget items, which at the same time, match with our quality level. This really helps our customers to gain an edge."

Kwong, whose family also owns several restaurants, says that the performance of the F&B industry has improved compared to COVID time. However, he thinks the improvement does not come effortlessly because it's a result that requires the sector's innovation.

Meanwhile, this New Zealand non-alcoholic beer brand hopes to enter the Hong Kong market. Marketing Director Carl says "Say like market like Singapore, which we do likening it to Hong Kong to some extent as well: customers are a lot more intentional with their living, with their choices, with work and with lifestyle. It's definitely the better-for-you category as a whole is growing."

Admission to the exhibition is free, but advanced registration is needed.