More than 450 exhibitors from 31 Vietnamese cities and provinces and over 20 countries are displaying their products at the four-day annual Vietnam Foodexpo that opened in HCM City on Wednesday.

The country’s biggest exhibition of agriculture, seafood and food features among others vegetables, beverages, food ingredients, processed foods, and food processing technologies and equipment.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, France’s ambassador to Viet Nam, Bertrand Lortholary, said this year, France is the Country of Honour and has 33 companies introducing their best processed meat, dairy and farm products and food processing equipment.

France would also organise seminars on “Food Taste, Quality and Safety”, “How to reduce animal feed related risks to consumers’ health in Viet Nam” and “Bonjour French Food”, he said.

“I hope that the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will be completed next year, creating favourable business conditions for Vietnamese, French and European firms.”

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said Viet Nam’s food industry is developing rapidly.

The Vietnam Foodexpo, with the theme this year of “Better Food, Better Life”, would contribute to the overall development of the country and promote food industry businesses and products and services.

“I believe it will create a favourable environment to promote business opportunities and trade and investment match-making in the fastest and most effective way for Vietnamese food companies.”

According to organisers, the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency, the first two days of the expo are only for business visitors and the public can visit after that.

There will be many big names such as Habeco, Satra, Vissan, Bibica Confectionery, Mekong Fishery, K-Coffee and Vinasoy.

An exclusive area for large supermarket chains like Hapromart, Lotte Mart and Big C to directly meet with suppliers will also be set up.

The exhibition is expected to attract 20,000 visitors while the foreign exhibitors are from promising export markets including South Korea, Japan, China, the United States, France, the EU, Singapore, Malaysia and the Middle East.

The event is being held at the Sai Gon Exhibition Centre in District 7. — VNS