The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) along with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Koelnmesse (KM) Germany have organised THAIFEX-ANUGA ASIA, the continent's most comprehensive international food and beverage trade show, with both a physical and virtual format next week.
According to Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, director-general of the DITP, as pandemic infections eased this year, many countries including Thailand lifted strict entry requirements and reopened to international travellers.
All three organisers agreed to host the event as a hybrid physical and virtual trade show this year, he said.
Last year the pandemic prompted organisers to adjust the format of the event to a virtual trade show and online business matching event on www.thaifex-vts.com.
The physical trade exhibition is scheduled to take place from May 24-28 at Challenger Hall 1-3 and IEC Hall 5-10 at Impact Muang Thong Thani. It is expected to welcome 75,000 visitors, while more than 3,500 online visitors are forecast at www.thaifex-vts.com.
The event is projected to generate total purchase orders of 10 billion baht, with the physical event logging 9.55 billion and the virtual event making up 450 million.
Visit Limlurcha, vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai Board of Trade, said the food and beverage industry contributes 5.5% of Thai GDP. He said Thailand is the 13th-largest food exporter in the world, accounting for 2.3% of the world market share, and is fourth in Asia after China, Indonesia and India.
Mr Visit, also honorary president of the Thai Food Processors Association, recently predicted food exports would grow by 5% this year to 1.1 trillion baht, driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and mounting concerns about food shortages in many countries. In the first quarter, food exports saw robust growth of 26% year-on-year, fetching 324 billion baht.
He warned the war has triggered growing concerns about food security in many countries, leading importers to accelerate food shipments to avoid a shortage.
The baht's weakness was another key driver of food exports in the first quarter, said Mr Visit.
He said the trade show would enable Thai business operators of all sizes and new entrepreneurs to expand their products and services to both the international and domestic market, offering them opportunities to meet with potential buyers both on the ground and virtually.
The event showcases their innovative and creative products that respond to global demands and future food trends, said Mr Visit.
