The 28th International Exhibition on Food & Beverage and Food Processing, Packaging Technology & Equipment is being held in HCM City from August 8 to 10. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY — More than 900 exhibitors from 20 countries and territories are showcasing products and technologies at the 28th International Exhibition on Food & Beverage and Food Processing, Packaging Technology & Equipment that opened in HCM City on Thursday.

Covering an area of 36,000 sq.m, Vietfood & Beverage - Propack Vietnam 2024 is 40 per cent bigger compared to previous years with 1,200 booths.

Products on display include food, beverages, nutritional supplements and seafood as well as equipment in the field of food processing, packaging, and preservation, and food and beverage labeling.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Phan Thị Thắng, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, said Việt Nam is blessed with an abundance of agricultural products and raw materials, creating a conducive environment for food processing and manufacturing.

With its population of approximately 100 million, a youthful demographic structure, and a growing middle and high-income class, Việt Nam is regarded as one of the region’s most promising markets for food and beverage consumption, she said.

Analysts estimate that annual food and beverage consumption accounts for around 15 per cent of GDP, with an upward trend expected in the coming years.

The Vietnamese food and beverage industry is poised for continued growth, with revenue projected to exceed VNĐ720 trillion (US$28.5 billion) in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 10.9 per cent, she said.

She added that the expo will provide businesses with a platform to introduce new products and technologies in processing and manufacturing, build and promote their brands, enhance trade connections, and foster cooperation with international partners.

A series of technical seminars will be held in the framework of the expo, including “Towards Net-Zero: Strategies and Solutions for Carbon Reduction in the Food Industry” and “Green Packaging - The Inevitable Trend of Food Packaging”.

The beverage workshop “Sweet class Ohla—Pride in Vietnamese fruits,” organised by Luong Gia Food Technology Corporation, will provide an opportunity for those working in the beverage industry to share their secrets of success when choosing Vietnamese fruits.

The expo is organised by the Việt Nam National Trade Fair and Advertising JSC, the HCM City Food and Foodstuff Association and the Việt Nam Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Association.

The event at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre will run until Saturday.