Eight 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 Aug. 11-15, 2016.

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, South Korea, Taiwan, Europe and emerging markets.

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. agrifoods products. The B.C. companies exhibiting at the Food Expo are:

• ASTI Holdings (Golden Bonbon) – New Westminster
• Bench 1775 Winery and Tasting Room – Penticton
• Bremner Foods – Delta
• Forbidden Fruit Winery – Cawston
• Global Fruit Brokers – Creston
• Nu-Tea Company – Mission
• R.J.T. Blueberry Park – Aldergrove
• Trumps Food – Vancouver

B.C. food products are considered premium goods in Hong Kong due to British Columbia’s high food safety and quality standards. Those attending the expo this year will be treated to some of the province’s specialty food items – from Italian torrone (nougat) candy to fruit wine, desserts and organic tea.

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.

Support for this business delegation is funded by Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a five-year agreement launched in 2013 that provides a $3-billion, federal-provincial-territorial government investment in innovation, competitiveness and market development.

Quotes:

Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food –

"‎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."

Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade –

“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.”

Terry Bremner, proprietor, Bremner Foods –

“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.”

Marco Mazzucco, vice president, ASTI Holdings –

“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 a great way to be a part of the commercial retail buzz in Hong Kong.”

Learn More:

For more information on the HKTDC Food Expo visit: http://www.hktdc.com/fair/hkfoodexpo-en/HKTDC-Food-Expo.html

For more information on trade and investment in British Columbia, visit: www.britishcolumbia.ca

Raising Our Game in Asia: The BC Jobs Plan Trade Strategy: www.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplantradestrategy

Find out how international trade is creating new jobs in British Columbia: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca