The colossal global food and beverage industry, with revenues already valued at USD 2.72 billion in 2024, is poised for significant expansion with a projected annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.69% from 2022 to 2029.
As food and beverage trade continues to play a pivotal role in the broader global business landscape, World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) has been instrumental in connecting businesses in this crucial sector, fostering international collaboration and growth, with several of its members hosting events geared towards this mission.
World Trade Center (WTC) Miami, a member of WTCA, is the host of the annual Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference, with the most recent event held at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida in September 2024. The exclusively B2B (business-to-business) event showcased food and agricultural products from vendors all over the world to attendees seeking new and innovative items to source and add to their store shelves and menus.
Now in its 28th run, this year’s show featured over 700 companies exhibiting, 900 stands, and over 20 international pavilions from nations across five continents. Its doors registered 7,000 attendees a few hours after the open ceremony.
In the Philippines, WTC Metro Manila (WTCMM) also regularly hosts the largest and most anticipated food & beverage trade shows in the country and the region. These include the Manila Foods and Beverages Expo (MAFBEX), held annually in June at WTCMM, showcasing a wide range of food and beverage products from local delicacies to international brands, and the World Food Expo Philippines (WOFEX), with over 630 exhibitors showcasing a diverse array of F&B products and services, from coffee and confectionery to catering equipment and kitchenware.
The WTCMM exhibition halls were the venue of the Philippine Food Expo, organized by the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization (Philfoodex) to give exhibiting participants the opportunity to showcase their products and services as the country adapts to the fully integrated ASEAN Economic Community.
Exhibition floor at AFEX (Photo: asiafoodexpo.ph)
WTCMM is also the site for the Asia Food Expo (AFEX), a yearly exposition and convergence of new ideas, solutions, and technology on food processing, machinery, equipment, and technology. The 2024 edition attracted 623 exhibitors, including 321 foreign exhibitors from 30 countries, and over 40,000 visitors.
Last November, WTCA collaborated with the China International Import Expo (CIIE) for a program that allows WTCA Members and their business networks the opportunity to showcase their products and services to CIIE event attendees. The expo drew 3,500 exhibitors and over 430,000 professional visitors within a total exhibition area of 360,000 square meters.
Participants included enterprises from seven overseas WTC businesses, representing the European, African, North American, and Asia Pacific regions, bringing products and services covering five major industries including Food and Agriculture, Consumer Goods, Trade Services, Healthcare, and Intelligent Industry and Information Technology.
Also at this year’s CIIE, WTC Dublin proudly supported an impressive array of Irish brands, particularly Irish whiskey, ready to showcase their innovation and craftsmanship on a global stage.
A visitor learns about Irish alcohol during the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) in East China’s Shanghai. (Photo: Xinhua)
“WTC Dublin has been participating in the CIIE Expo for the last three years, representing over 40 of our member brands. The partnership has allowed our members to participate cost-effectively, with great marketing and promotion to the Chinese market,” said Maureen Pace, President of WTC Dublin.
These and many other trade shows offer businesses, especially micro, small, medium, and large-scale manufacturers and exporters in the food and beverage industry, opportunities to connect with potential customers, suppliers, and partners.
“The food and beverage industry offers huge potential to food growers and manufacturers worldwide, especially to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs),” said Scott Wang, WTCA Vice President, Asia Pacific, citing growing populations and evolving tastes and preferences worldwide.
During a recent visit to the WTCMM office and exhibition facilities, Wang explained that WTCA is working closely with its members and partners in countries such as China and the Philippines to promote regional trade and cross-border investments through various global events and programs.
“Serving as the local business hub linked to the global WTCA network, individual WTC operations provide companies around the world — including the food & beverage industry — with the expertise and connections that are critical for market penetration. The WTC business’ teams work diligently to match the needs of companies with the best service providers in their respective local marketplaces,” said Mr. Wang.