The press briefing for the biennial Food Ingredients Vietnam exhibition to be held at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre in May. — VNS Photo

The 2018 Food Ingredients Vietnam to be held in HCM City in May will showcase a large variety of food and beverage ingredients and natural ingredients.

The exhibition has attracted more than 140 exhibitors from many countries and territories, Rungphech (Rose) Chitanuwat, business director of UBM Asia, the organiser, said.

The expo would also feature international conferences and professional seminars, and link up businesses, she said.

With more than 93 million people, of whom more than half are under 30 years of age, Việt Nam is one of the most promising food and beverage consumption markets in the region, and has a diverse range of raw materials for food and beverages, she said.

Speaking at a press conference in HCM City on March 22 to introduce the expo, Ly Kim Chi, chairwoman of the Food and Foodstuff Association of HCM City, said the country’s food and beverages sector has enjoyed strong growth in recent years.

The market is expected to maintain its high growth rate in the coming years and rank third in Asia, she said.

But now it has to import more than 80 per cent of its food and beverage ingredients since it is either unable to produce them or ensure consistent quality, she said.

Fi Vietnam would offer a great opportunity for businesses to source ingredients and establish links with the region’s leading producers and distributors, Chitanuwat said.

The exhibition this year would be 50 per cent larger than the preceding one (Fi Vietnam 2016), indicating the attractiveness of Việt Nam’s food and beverage market, she added.

To be held at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre from May 16-18, the expo is expected to attract more than 4,700 food and beverage industry professionals from ASEAN member countries. — VNS