In the first nine months of last year Viet Nam imported more than $85 million worth of frozen meats from 19 markets, up $12 million from the same period in 2013. — Photo anninhthudo

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — The biennial Food & Hotel Viet Nam, the country's leading international food and hospitality trade show to be held in April, has attracted big-name meat exporters from around the world wanting to tap this growing market.

The Union of Producers and Employers of Meat Industry from Poland, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), and many from Australia and Spain are among those to have confirmed their presence.

Local meat importers Vina Siam Food and New Viet Diary will also add to the show's prominent meat suppliers. The exhibition is held by the Singapore Exhibition Services Pte Ltd together with local organiser VCCI Exhibition Service Co Ltd.

Sabrina Yin, ASEAN Director, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), said: "Viet Nam is one of our target markets in recent years due to its strong development and demand. In recent months we have seen increasing demand for imported beef in Viet Nam, driven in large part by expansion in the family dining restaurant sector.

"Viet Nam is also a participant in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, which could serve as a path to improved access for US beef. We are striving to connect with this potential market, and Food & Hotel Viet Nam 2015 is a chance for us to do so."

Eric Alcolea, export manager of Explotaciones Hermanos Delgado of Spain, said: "This year is the first time we are exhibiting at Food & Hotel Viet Nam. We strongly believe in this event as a valuable and trustworthy channel for us to reach our customers."

Food & Hotel Viet Nam will be held from April 21 to 23 at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre.

Viet Nam has surpassed China to become the second-largest importer of Australian cattle, and retail stores across the southern metropolis have been replacing domestic beef with Australian meat over the last year.

In June last year Viet Nam also opened its doors to Japanese beef, enabling more than 20 meat exporters in Japan to sell their famed Kobe beef to the country.

Nearly US$3.3 million worth of meat imports from the EU also arrived in Viet Nam in the first three quarters of last year, seven times the amount imported in the same period of 2013, according to the General Department of Viet Nam Customs.

In the first nine months of last year Viet Nam imported more than $85 million worth of frozen meats from 19 markets, up $12 million from the same period in 2013. — VNS