HKTDC celebrates success of 15th Wine & Spirits Fair

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) wrapped up its 15th Wine & Spirits Fair this month, welcoming some 7,000 buyers from 49 countries and regions.

The 15th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, ended earlier this month after a successful three-day run (3-5 November).

The fair drew buyers from emerging markets, including Korea, Mainland China and Taiwan, as well as Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia, showing healthy potential for development.

Some 7,000 buyers from 49 countries and regions were present at the fair.

The HKTDC also opened the event up to the public on Sunday 5 November, welcoming wine enthusiasts aged 18 or above, attracting around 9,000 people to enjoy the beverages and attend events such as masterclasses, wine tasting and seminars.

The fair featured 36 events, including the seminar Baijiu Journey: Savouring the Flavours of China and two Wine Industry Conferences, one of which featured the sole Chinese Master Sommelier in the world, Lu Yang, discussing wine market opportunities in China and Asia.

In addition to informative seminars for industry professionals, the show’s Public Day featured engaging events such as wine tasting sessions, attracting enthusiastic participation from buyers and visitors.

The fair attracted renowned importers, wholesalers, retailers and e-tailers – including JD.com, Inc (Mainland China), PT. Pantja Artha Niaga (Indonesia), Royal of Japan Ltd (Japan), NARA CELLAR (Korea), Albert International Wines & Spirits Sdn Bhd (Malaysia), KOT Selections LLP (Singapore), Rose & Young Hunters Global Inc. (Taiwan), Central Food Retail Company Limited (Thailand), African + Eastern (UAE), and Red Apron Fine Wines & Spirits (Vietnam).

The HKTDC’s deputy executive director Sophia Chong said following the event: “The 15th Wine & Spirits Fair featured more than 500 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions, where wine sellers and buyers come together again and buyers were keen to source products. Public Day today was also well received, and members of the public enjoyed the wine tasting experience and had fruitful purchases.”

Chinese wine was one of the major focuses of this year’s fair. According to Chong, in recent years, Chinese wines have risen in popularity and brought “new momentum to the Chinese market”.

She said: “We incorporated these elements in the fair, bringing products from Sichuan, Ningxia and Xinjiang, offering more options for buyers. The HKTDC also held various seminars where industry professionals could explore opportunities in the Chinese wine market.”

Sustainability also took centre stage at the show, as a “global hot topic”, according to Chong, “as vintners make wines by greener means. Organic wines were also showcased in the fair, creating a sparkling new wave of purchasing trends.”