Bangkok serves up one of Asia's largest food trade fairs

THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2023 will be held in Bangkok from 23 to 27 May, expecting to attract over 60,000 visitors.

The event is set to be bigger than the previous year, with 60,000 trade visitors from 120+ countries and 2,700 exhibitors from 40+ countries.
The event is set to be bigger than the previous year, with 60,000 trade visitors from 120+ countries and 2,700 exhibitors from 40+ countries. Photo Credit: THAIFEX - Anuga

Asia’s largest food trade fair, THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2023, is set to take place in Bangkok, Thailand, between 23 to 27 May 2023.

With over 60,000 trade visitors from more than 120 countries and more than 2,700 exhibitors from over 40 countries expected to attend, the event will be even larger than last year's.

This year's total exhibition space is a staggering 107,000 sqm, representing almost a 15% increase from last year. The event is co-hosted by Koelnmesse, Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC).

THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2023 will offer visitors a distinct chance to witness the latest trends and advancements within and beyond the ever-changing food and beverage sector. Six special shows and three supporting programmes, including Future Food Experience+, THAIFEX - HOREC Xperiential Zone and Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge (TUCC), will be held.

As of 2021, the value of the Food and Beverage (F&B) industry in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region was estimated to be around US$3.5 trillion. The APAC region is one of the largest and fastest-growing markets for F&B, driven by factors such as rising disposable income, changing consumer preferences, and urbanisation. However, mature markets like the United States and Europe are still the largest markets for F&B, with the US alone accounting for over 20% of global F&B sales.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Thailand has been organising the USA pavilion at the THAIFEX - Anuga Asia show since 2019. The department will be showcasing a variety of new-to-market US products at the pavilion, including authentic American Native food and beverage products, artisanal California and Wisconsin cheeses, Cosmic Crisp Washington apples, and other exciting food and drink products. Visitors will also have the opportunity to watch US food cooking shows by celebrity chefs and taste US products.

Mathias Kuepper, managing director and vice president Asia-Pacific at Koelnmesse said that the THAIFEX - Anuga aims to respond to the ever-evolving F&B market, especially post-Covid. Changes like the adoption of automation in F&B in Asia, launches of new products containing healthier, wholesome, organic ingredients and the disruption of global supply chains, which has impacted the availability and pricing of certain food and beverage products, will be addressed.

Two distinct F&B trends to look out for, according to Kuepper, are plant-based protein and foods and their expanding ranges of products, and Cellular Technology with innovations like cell-based meat and mycelium-based meat which have received growing interest in research and national policy.

This year's event will also feature new country pavilions from France, Hungary, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and Western Australia, offering a platform for international trade, innovations and business alliances. THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2023 promises to be a unique opportunity to witness the latest trends and innovations in the F&B industry, make new connections and build business alliances.