THAIFEX-Anuga Asia 2024 has officially wrapped up for another year after delivering an unforgettable showcase of food innovation and culinary experiences.
With 3,133 exhibitions hosted at the event, entrepreneurs and culinary creatives from over 50 countries were present at the IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Convention Centre. During the conferences’ five days, 85,850 visitors learnt about emerging trends and innovative products currently positioned to redefine Thailand’s food and beverage industry.
THAIFEX organisers see this event as a nexus point and catalyser for food and beverage businesses to be bold and creative with their products. At THAIFEX, every interaction could be with your next customer, business partner, or investor. Every second holds the potential to spark the next culinary revolution.
THAIFEX organised 9 individual thematic trade shows, just to make sure you wouldn’t miss out on the product or service you were dying to see! Emerging start-ups brushed shoulders with industry giants, creating a diverse learning environment for both the brain and taste buds. These were the trade show themes:
1. Drinks
2. Fine Food
3. Food Technology
4. Frozen Food
5. Fruits and Vegetables
6. Meat
7. Rice
8. Seafood
9. Sweets and Confectionary
Innovative shows and exhibitions
If you were looking for inspiration or an innovative solution to help grow your own business, then 6 special shows were hosted just for you! Featuring an organic market and start-up exhibition hub, these special zones provided deeper insights for professionals seeking to discover their next competitive edge. THAIFEX seeks to grow the industry as a whole and excels at providing activities for both the supply and demand sides of the industry to upskill effectively.
Partnering with Innova Market Insights, THAIFEX identified 11 key trends which will redefine the future of the food and beverage industry. At number one was the growing interest in meat alternatives and plant-based protein sources.
Even though THAIFEX continues to host meat-based products, natural products such as Foodho International (a THAIFEX-Anuga 2024 Award finalist) took the spotlight with their functional herbal tea blend. Incorporating Taiwan’s national fruit tangerines with the beneficial properties of turmeric and ginger, Foodho has created a revitalising brew to help fuel your stomach, heart, and mind.
Au Lac Vegan Food, a 33 year old Vietnamese vegan food business, flexed their innovation muscles by introducing a brand new product, a range of plant-based, flavoured condensed milks, perfect for your next Vietnamese coffee! These milks are an extension to their already plant-based catalogue of instant tom-yum noodles, Vietnamese broken rice, and pre-packaged curries for the busy people who want a meal on the go.
Kian from Hello M’arch perfectly articulated the emerging trend of healthy food and beverage alternatives.
“Our vision [is by] eating healthy, our health blooms and our life blossoms,” said Kian. The Hello M’arch product line champions the superfood quinoa, using it to create your favourite foods such as pasta, cookies and coffee.
Thailand continues to lead food innovation
In addition to alternative meat proteins, THAIFEX-Anuga identified transparent labelling, organic ingredients, and ready to eat products as trends which can be expected to grow in the future. These insights provide a fantastic opportunity for up-and-coming food innovators to create their own unique products and join one of the fastest growing industries in Thailand.
THAIFEX highlighted how Thailand’s iconic cuisine is deeply significant in its reputation internationally.
“One reason we get along so well and understand one another so well is that we both share a love of great food. Thailand is the kitchen of the world and US food companies are here to help fill the pantry,” said a USDA spokesperson.
The Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge (TUCC) emerged once again as a highlight for the annual event. This year’s competition brought together 700 professional and aspiring chefs to compete across 23 categories. These categories fell into two groups, hot cooking which includes curries, rice and noodle dishes, and cold displays which includes desserts, fruit and vegetable platters, and tapas. The excitement in Hall 12 was visible, as a lineup of over 40 critically acclaimed chefs judged the competitors demonstrating their mastery of culinary techniques, creativity and artistry.
THAIFEX-Anuga 2025 is scheduled to be back in Thailand next year on the 27th-31st of May. Planning is already underway for the event, so make sure to register your interest online so you don’t miss out!
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