Exhibitors are hoping for big crowds at the Hong Kong Food Expo that opens on Thursday and will offer special HK$1 (13 US cents) items and samples of fusion delicacies for the first time since Covid-19 hit.
The five-day fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai has attracted hundreds of exhibitors, including Boris Cheung Wang-sheng, the sales and marketing director of Boscovivo Hong Kong that specialises in Italian truffles. The company will offer a new product, truffle honey milk tea, priced at HK$80 for two bottles. Abalone Noodles
“This is the first ever Hong Kong-style milk tea produced with high-quality truffles,” Cheung said. “We collaborate with local tea brewer SifuGoodTea to bring something new to Hongkongers.”
The company hoped its innovative products would attract mainland Chinese tourists visiting the expo, he said.
“Mainland tourists are now more into experiencing tours and posting pictures on social media. I hope they will come and post it on Xiaohongshu and make the product more well known,” he said, referring to an Instagram-like social media platform popular on the mainland.
While business at the expo had suffered in recent years due to restrictions on handing out samples imposed during the pandemic, Cheung hoped for a 10 per cent boost this year.
To increase consumer spending following the end of the health crisis, the government is planning to work with different sectors to operate night bazaars. But Cheung said he had reservations about the idea, which might not benefit smaller operators.
“The whole idea is government and industry oriented,” he said. “We don’t know how to take part, and the rent and extra labour cost will be the main concern. Hosting mega events like the Sevens tournament and concerts is a more effective way to stimulate spending.”
Richard Poon Kuen-fai, managing director of On Kee Dry Seafood, said launching the bazaars was easy but managing them could be difficult, although he predicted people would spend provided the proper inducements were offered.
“Just like the Food Expo, attractive prices can definitely make people happy and stimulate spending, especially now that food samples are back,” Poon said.
“We also have a section offering HK$100 for three or four items, where people can find good deals including abalones, fish maws and mushrooms.
“We hope to see a 20 per cent increase in business this year given that people commute easier through the MTR’s Exhibition Centre station.”
On Kee Dry Seafood has also upped the ante by offering prizes worth HK$36,000, compared with HK$20,000 last year. The first nine customers on opening day will be divided into three teams competing for 500 cans of abalone, although the losing teams will still receive 50 cans.
The company behind the iconic White Rabbit Creamy Candy will offer a new osmanthus flavour at the fair.
“We haven’t participated in the Food Expo as an exhibitor in the past, so we do not have a business forecast, but we are optimistic that our team is ready to refill our inventory from our nearby warehouse anytime,” said Phelix Pun, the head of sales and marketing for Ng Fung Hong, which distributes the candies for Shanghai Guan Sheng Yuan Food.
The expo will run alongside a beauty and home appliance fair from August 17 to 21, and a tea and traditional Chinese medicine fair from Thursday to Saturday, with more than 1,800 exhibitors expected in total.
Abalone Fish Admission is HK$30, while early bird and night-owl tickets will be priced at HK$10 for those entering before noon and after 6pm, respectively.