With China fast becoming a mass consumer of food, health and natural ingredients in addition to its status as the world supplier of these products, the Chinese food ingredients market is all set to take off in a big manner, giving a tough time to other developed and emerging markets. At present the Chinese food industry is learnt to serve more than one billion people.

Since the country’s economy is soaring at an incessant pace with improvement in people’s standard of living, its food industry is expected to grow at a much faster rate in the days to come.

The growth of Chinese food industry is not devoid of any quality measures to boost the standards of production. Of late, the Chinese food industry has witnessed an increase in the research and development activities and production of new products, thanks to its consumers’ growing concern on food safety, nutrition and convenience. This in turn has expanded the potential market for high quality and healthy food, snacks, bakery items, dairy products and soft drinks.

At this vital juncture, the 11th edition of Food Ingredients Asia- China (Fi Asia-China) is all set to happen at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, from June 23 – 25, 2009. Organised by UBM Asia, this premier food ingredients event would be the most efficient way to make contact with existing customers, launch new products, meet new buyers, evaluate trends and discover what’s new in food ingredients production and application technology. It is also considered as the right podium to hear from experts on market trends, the global obesity issue, price and supply issues, quality assurance standards and environmental regulations.

“The main factor driving the industry to Shanghai this June is the opportunity to explore the incredible potential of the Chinese market,” says Fi/Hi/Ni China event manager Vincent Brain. “Whilst the present economic climate has hit consumer confidence, the Chinese food industry is still expected to grow an additional 109% by 2013. China’s new middle class remains a resilient market for international companies looking to protect their revenues as core markets mature.”

Food Ingredients Asia-China is a highly prestigious & respected event – gaining its reputation for delivering a quality audience of high profile food ingredient professionals from all over the world in this dynamic region. Ingredient manufacturers and food producers alike are finding China a profitable operational base.

Health ingredients (Hi) and Natural ingredients (Ni) would run parallel to Fi Asia- China 2009, providing the right podium for international and regional suppliers of ingredients with food & beverage manufacturers and producers. The show would be co-located with CPHI, P-MEC and ICSE China which are one of the major events influencing the pharma industry. This would provide an integrated exposure to visitors across the ingredients spectrum. The mega events would provide unrivalled opportunity for business development.

“As China is moving form a world supplier of health and natural ingredients to a mass consumer of these products, we are proud to bring our successful Health and Natural ingredients trade exhibitions Hi and Ni to China, to run alongside Fi Asia-China,” said the organisers.

“Fi Asia-China brings all exhibitors together under one roof for maximum exposure to visitors from the domestic market and around the world (78% domestic, 22% international). Over 45% of the audience have the power to purchase at the show and are there with the sole purpose of sourcing new suppliers,” admit the organisers.

The event would provide a vital platform to enter new dynamic market as the Chinese consumers turn to western products, finished food manufacturers are demanding more imported ingredients.

In addition to the hundreds of exhibitions, Fi Asia-China, Hi and Ni China 2009 will include a two-day conference programme “Inside and Out of the Food Safety Crisis,” developed by IUFoST (International Union of Food Science and Technology)– the leading association of worldwide food technologists. The educational content on offer will give food industry players the opportunity to gain exclusive insight into the dynamic and growing Chinese food ingredients market, while providing excellent networking opportunities with delegates on the cutting edge of food technology development. The conference would take place on the exhibition floor on 25 and 26 June. This conference would offer solutions and up-to-date trends information about the current worldwide concerns for food safety.

Brian says, “With concerns over obesity and general health remaining high on the agenda, the co-location of Health ingredients China and Natural ingredients China will enable manufacturers to source ingredients that will make their products stand out to consumers. With innovative products on display and a number of product launches, visitors can find solutions that will give their products a competitive advantage.”

Fi Asia Event Highlights

● Meet face to face manufacturers, suppliers & specialists from China and around the world
● Establish relationships with the people and companies who will help you meet your objectives
● Develop and nurture you existing relationships with clients
● Learn about new trends within the food industry in China
● Attend seminars and stay on up-to-date with the latest market developments
● Your chance to actually see, smell or taste new product innovation
● Update your knowledge and network with other professionals at our high-level conference
● Come and see, tastes and smell what China has to offer you

The exhibitors at the Fi- Asia China shall comprise: companies that cultivate extract process or supply food & beverage ingredients, companies that cultivate, extract, process or supply health, nutraceuticals, organic and functional ingredients, companies that cultivate, extract process or supply natural ingredients used in food & beverages, medical remedies and nutraceuticals and the suppliers of food processing, food safety or food services to the food & beverage industry.

The popular FiPSS (Food ingredients Processing Safety & Services) Pavilion will provide a forum for Chinese food manufacturers to seek advice from providers of traceability, microbiology, processing and quality control products and services to ensure international food safety standards and regulations are being met.

Functional food, dietary supplements, traditional Chinese medicines, nutraceuticals and food biotechnology are fast gaining momentum in China. To match market needs, Fi Asia China will devote separate segments to various themes. Many of these will improve the food raw materials, health and nutritional benefits, product quality and safety of the raw materials.

Visitors profile shall include manufacturers, producers and retailers of foods, beverages & supplements, Ingredient manufacturers, suppliers, traders & distributors, professionals involved in food processing, packaging, safety, quality & services, consultants, government & trade associations, institutes and universities, researchers & food technologists, professionals involved in food education & training.

Around 82% of Fi Asia-China, Hi China and Ni China 2008 exhibitors established new business relations. The combined show broke all previous Fi attendance records in 2008 attracting over 17,000 visitors from Asia and around the world.

FiA, Hi, Ni China are distinctive among events that feature food ingredients because of the focus on high-value, cutting-edge technology that visitors are unlikely to find under one roof anywhere else in the world.

According to the organisers, “The new format builds on UBMs successful model in the European market where the Food ingredients, Natural ingredients and Health ingredients exhibition continue to attract over 20,000 visitors every year, making Fi Europe by far the world’s largest ingredients trade show.”

The success of the 2008 show underscores an increasing interest in health and natural ingredients. By running all three ingredient shows simultaneously under one roof, organiser United Business Media (UBM) says exhibitors will benefit from unrivalled visitor numbers, while visitors will have access to an exhibitor base that is both broad and focused.

UBM is preparing for a record number of participants again this year. The company attributes this success to its efforts to continually evolve its shows’ content to meet the demands of the food ingredient industry and provide a showcase for growing global markets.