This is the first exhibition on food ingredients, the next expo will be in May 2015. — Photo Vietnam+

Mervyn Gribben, the general manager of Kerry Viet Nam, said the country was a vibrant market with a mix of traditional and new food ingredients. He added that the three-day exhibition was useful for the company to reach out to existing and potential customers.

Sharing the same point of view, a representative from a Thai company said they anticipated having success in Viet Nam in the near future.

He said the country had a good consumption market and was developing well.

According to UBM Asia, the event's organiser, a large number of international exhibitors and visitors, coming from 16 countries and territories testified to the growing interest in the Vietnamese food and beverage sector as well as food ingredients.

The organiser said that a number of co-operation contracts had been signed and that many companies found opportunities to open or widen their businesses in Viet Nam after the event.

The business director of UBM Asia, Rungphech Chitanuwat, said the three days had provided the right ingredients for success: business, networking and learning.

"This focus ensures that we meet the needs of food and beverage industry professionals at all levels of the supply chain," she said.

Many companies agreed that they would continue to take part in the event next year.

"The expo is a good chance for us to meet other companies and to share experiences as well as solutions in the food industry. My company will surely join the next expo. Viet Nam has a lot of potential and this is a good chance for us to study the increasing demand in the country so that we will have good solutions to meet such demand," said Ta Quang Hoa, director of the Ba Dinh Food Company.

Kicked off a week ago, this was the first exhibition on food ingredients. The event was organised at the Sai Gon Exhibition and Convention Centre. The next expo will be in May 2015. — VNS