MORE than 1,100 exhibitors from 50 countries and regions have brought over 100,000 food and beverage products to SIAL Shenzhen 2025, the international expo running through today at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District.

The exhibition is organized into 14 themed zones, covering imported foods and snacks, health foods, dairy, premium beverages, and modern tea drinks. Signature items from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka are featured alongside leading domestic brands.

A packed program of events is also being held, including SIAL Innovation, the Snacking Awards, the Chic & Tea Contest, and the SIAL CUP Barista Challenge.

At a booth representing a food company from northeastern China’s Jilin Province, staff were swiftly slicing glutinous rice cakes dusted with roasted soybean powder and offering samples to visitors. “This is a rice cake every Korean-Chinese family makes. We use Korean flash-freezing technology, so the surface stays soft even after thawing,” said the company’s e‑commerce manager, who navigated the crowd with a tray of samples.

Nearby, the delicate aroma of Ceylon black tea drifted from a Sri Lankan exhibitor’s stand. The company said it had brought the world’s first climate-positive tea to the fair and expects strong demand in the Chinese market.

Many exhibitors used the event to build partnerships and secure orders. Mrs. Peng, who, as an interpreter, accompanied her employer to scout the Chinese market, said they had already arranged follow-up meetings on WeChat with several cheese suppliers.

A representative of Zhejiang Sable Food Co. Ltd. reported better-than-expected results. “We come every year, and today we’ve already greeted more than 300 potential clients. Our sales team can’t keep up — many visitors are placing orders on the spot.”

SIAL, founded in Paris in 1964 by Comexposium Group, is the world’s largest food and beverage innovation exhibition brand.

Comexposium introduced SIAL to China in 2000, establishing two annual expos in Shanghai and Shenzhen. SIAL Shanghai is now regarded as Asia’s largest food and beverage trade fair, while the Shenzhen edition continues to highlight innovation and trade opportunities for China’s food industry.

(SD News)