Food&HotelAsia2016 (FHA2016), the leading trade show for Asia’s food and hospitality sector, concluded successfully.
Source: Singapore Exhibition Services. The showfloor at FHA2016.
Lindy Wee, Chief Executive of Singapore Exhibition Services, noted that as consumer preferences change, so do buyer demands. She expressed satisfaction that FHA remains a crucial platform for exhibitors to introduce innovative products and for global buyers to source them, effectively serving the food and hospitality sectors.
FHA featured a comprehensive range of products and services, from ingredients and equipment to hotel amenities and software. The event attracted 72,000 attendees, with 45% coming from overseas.
Attendance at FoodAsia2__016 remained strong throughout.
FHA2016 facilitated valuable leads and deals for attendees, with many expecting post-event negotiations. A notable example was a swift deal struck within an hour of the opening between Bentley Europe BV, a Dutch hotel equipment manufacturer, and Singaporean buyer Hunwin Enterprises for a new sensor-operated hair dryer.
The opening ceremony witnessed a significant memorandum of understanding between the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, the Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association, and the Federation of Indian Food Importers. This agreement signifies a commitment to enhance Singapore’s presence in the Indian market through collaborative initiatives such as information exchange, strategic partnerships, trade missions, and joint promotions.
Tan Seng Kee Foods (TSK), recognized for its fresh, preservative-free Kang Kang (康康) noodles, debuted their Express Meal Kits, featuring their noodles paired with sauces for various dishes. These halal-certified kits offer a shelf life of one month.
Tan Seng Kee Foods used FHA2016 to introduce their Kang Kang (康康) Express Meal Kit. These halal kits contain fresh noodles and spice pastes for easy meal preparation. The preservative-free kits have a shelf life of 30 days at room temperature, extending to six months when refrigerated. QR codes on the packaging provide video instructions.
Foxy’s Thoughtful Ice Cream, a producer of premium, all-natural ice cream, unveiled a new product containing six probiotic strains.
Angus Murray, CEO of Foxy’s Thoughtful Ice Cream, emphasized their innovative product, highlighting its reduced sugar content and use of organic inulin, a natural sweetener and prebiotic.
Thomas Scruby, Foxy’s Commercial Director for Asia, explained their strategic launch at FHA in Singapore, citing the region’s reputation for being at the forefront of food trends and innovation adoption.
Led by JETRO Singapore, the Japan Pavilion returned with an expanded presence. Managing Director Masaya Hasebe reported a 70% increase in exhibitors compared to the previous edition, highlighting FHA as a strategic platform for Japanese SMEs to access international buyers and understand market trends.
Agilysys, a US-based software solutions provider, is targeting growth in the region. Daniel Lee, Regional Director for Sales & Distribution in APAC & MEA, noted the hospitality sector’s increasing significance to their business. He emphasized FHA’s role as a key platform to connect with hoteliers seeking solutions and to raise awareness of their offerings, especially given the industry’s rapid expansion in the region.
Buyers across the food and hospitality industry praised FHA. Agnetta Lew, owner of Jonathan’s, a gluten-free cafe in Singapore, appreciated the opportunity to connect with international suppliers and source a diverse range of gluten-free products, noting an improvement in both supplier participation and product variety compared to previous years.
FHA showcased a diverse array of food products, including offerings from Nature’s Superfoods. Since 2010, Nature’s Superfoods has been introducing Singapore to Andean superfoods like chia seeds and quinoa, along with products derived from Criollo cacao, maca, camu-camu berries, maqui berries, and moringa leaves.
The Philippine contingent highlighted coconut-based products, showcasing virgin coconut oil, sugar, syrup, water, milk, flour, and vinegar. Exhibitors like Cocowild, Monde Nu Agri, Prosource, and Region 12 emphasized the benefits of coconut products, one of the Philippines’ top exports.
The FHA2016 International Conference provided a platform for knowledge exchange, covering topics from investment opportunities and F&B design to hospitality technology, food manufacturing, and bakery trends.
Zenaida Gonzales, Owner of Michell’s Cakes & Pastries and Stregato Gelateria in the Philippines, found the conference, particularly the bakery trends masterclass, to be very insightful. She appreciated gaining an understanding of current trends and innovations in the bakery sector, emphasizing how the information shared could enhance sales by appealing to consumer curiosity.
The FHA Culinary Challenge attracted both emerging and established chefs globally, competing in various categories. Team Taiwan triumphed in the Gourmet Team Challenge. The Individual Challenge was won by Marina Mandarin Singapore, while Raffles Hotel Singapore secured victory in the inaugural Sweet High Tea Challenge. At the SpecialityCoffee&Tea event, the intense FHA Barista Challenge saw Sam Tan Sze Yuin from Malaysia’s Discover Coffee emerge as the champion, while Wong Stephen Cullamat from Singapore’s Park Hotel Alexandra won the new CTI Latte Art Duel.
Team Singapore took home the top prize at the Asian Pastry Cup, the largest live pastry competition in Asia. Japan won the Asia Pacific round of the esteemed Bocuse d’Or culinary competition, earning a place in the finals in France.
The next edition of FHA is scheduled for April 24-27, 2018. Due to the high demand for exhibition space, FHA 2018 is set to be even larger, expanding to include both Singapore Expo and Suntec Singapore.
Signage at the Singapore Expo promoted the upcoming FHA2018.
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