Shanghai, May 30, 2024 – SIAL in China (Shanghai) concluded successfully with grandeur at the Shanghai New International Expo Center, marking a highly internationalized trade fair in the global food and beverage industry. Organized by Comexposium Group, China General Chamber of Commerce, and Comexposium-SIAL Exhibition Co., Ltd, the trade fair also celebrated the 60th anniversary of the SIAL brand.

China's robust economic development continues to attract global investors. This year, SIAL Shanghai reached new heights, gathering unique and exceptional food and beverage products from around the world. The exhibition featured over 5,000 exhibitors from 75 countries and regions, showcasing more than 350,000 products. SIAL Shanghai served as a crucial platform for the rapid circulation of global food and beverage products, with pavilions from countries including China, France, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Turkey, the UK, Czech Republic, USA, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina etc.

Furthermore, attracting over 5,000 exhibitors from 75 countries and regions, drawing 175,739 professionals from 110 countries, this year’s SIAL Shanghai achieved a historical milestone in its 24-year history and facilitated over 10,240 matchmaking sessions for global food and beverage procurement.

International Dignitaries Gather

The opening ceremony of this year’s SIAL Shanghai saw broad international support, with ambassadors, consul general and representatives from countries and regions including Brazil, Türkiye, Argentina, Spain, the USA, France, the UK, Uruguay, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Romania, Ireland, Indonesia, New Zealand, Austria, Finland, Denmark, Chile and the Philippines etc. Their presence not only enhanced the international and professional nature of the exhibition but also significantly promoted global food and beverage trade.

Nicolas Trentesaux, Managing Director of SIAL Network, emphasized at the opening ceremony that China, with its 1.4 billion consumers, is a crucial strategic market for food companies. The country's booming economy and growing middle class create an increasing demand for diverse, high-quality food, reinforcing the importance of facilitating global food industry exchanges and cooperation.

Showcasing Global and Chinese Brands

The exhibition showcased a wide range of international products such as Spanish ham, Thai fruits, Australian Wagyu beef, Egyptian freeze-dried fruits, and Israeli pomegranate wine. The rapid growth of China's import food consumption was evident, highlighting cutting-edge food production technologies and innovative products, promoting the healthy and sustainable development of the food industry.

Celebrating 60 years of Sino-French relations, the French pavilion returned with numerous brands. The meat pavilions featured high-quality beef, lamb, pork, and poultry from the USA, Brazil, and Argentina. The comprehensive imported food and snack food pavilions displayed a variety of international specialties, reflecting the diversity of global products and the innovation of Chinese brands.

Collaborative Efforts for High-Quality Development

This year’s exhibition saw significant participation from China’s government, with pavilions and delegations from 32 provincial, municipal and regional government departments and trade associations. The "Local Specialties" theme highlighted unique China’s regional products and promoted the international presence of local brands.

SIAL Shanghai not only provided a professional trade matching platform but also infused new energy into China’s agricultural development by gathering global resources. Pavilions and delegations hosted by 32 provincial and municipal government departments and trade associations showcased rich exhibition content, presenting a variety of local specialty products and brands to the world.

Guo Peng, Chief Agronomist of the Shandong Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, noted, "Last year, many enterprises in Shandong benefited from the SIAL Shanghai exhibition. This year, the number of participating enterprises has increased significantly, aiming to strengthen production and marketing channels and bring high-quality Shandong products to a broader market."

Efficient Matchmaking and Product Display

The exhibition’s "Match Me" service facilitated in-depth one-on-one exchanges between exhibitors and buyers, enhancing transaction success rates and saving time and resources for both parties. Samuel Peck, International Business Specialist of the U.S. Dry Bean Council, praised SIAL for creating a platform for exhibitors and buyers to explore trade opportunities.

Moreover, SIAL Shanghai attracted professional buyers from around the globe, all eager to leverage the trade fair to find new partners and expand their market reach. Among them, a procurement decision-maker from KeHE Distributors LLC in the United States expressed a particular interest in innovative products with English labeling that could be readily introduced into American market. Such products, they noted, are more likely to resonate with U.S. consumers.

Industry Forums and Competitions

The SIAL Global Food Industry Summit focused on "Linking Local and Global Sustainability," with 10 thematic forums featuring over 100 experts and industry leaders. Topics included new retail, supply chain, meat, imported food, food technology, Chinese cuisine, food and beverage investment, beverages, and food distributors, providing insights and strategies for market expansion and industry development.

Exciting International Competitions

The SIAL Innovation Competition encouraged companies to innovate and release new products, with the top ten and gold, silver, and bronze award winners announced on the first day. Notable winners included Inner Mongolia Ganqika Food Co., Ltd. for their Milk Soy Sauce, Ud Cahaya Kencana for their Oven-Baked pasta chips, and Nanjing Siyi Food Co., Ltd. for their BeBi Norwegian Polar Glacier Natural Spring Water.

A series of engaging and professional events and competitions took place over the three days, including La Cuisine, SIAL Chinese Restaurant, SIAL Best Steak Awards, SIAL Snacking Awards, SIAL Chic & Tea Contest, SIAL Cup Barista Challenge, SIAL Seafood Fest, SIAL Coffee & Tea Market etc.

Preview of SIAL in China (Shenzhen): Market Penetration in the Asia-Pacific

Following the huge success of SIAL Shanghai, the next SIAL in China will be held in Shenzhen from September 2 to 4, 2024. The Shenzhen Trade fair is expected to host more than 1,500 exhibitors from 60 countries and regions and nearly 100,000 professional buyers, making it a significant event in the global food and beverage industry, further enhancing its international participation and reinforcing its leadership in the Asia-Pacific food and beverage market.