Fruit fiesta: Asia Fruit Logistica launches with 760 exhibitors and fresh opportunities

The 18th edition of Asia Fruit Logistica opened its doors on Wednesday at AsiaWorld-Expo, showcasing fresh fruits from 760 exhibitors representing 45 countries and regions ready to welcome guests.

Running from Wednesday (Sep 3) to Friday (Sep 5), the event is expected to attract more than 13,000 industry professionals from around the globe.

This year’s exhibition features a wide range of products from the fruit and vegetable sectors, including exotic fruits, innovative production and transportation methods, and smart retail systems.

A new zone has been introduced for companies making their debut at the event, featuring first-time participants from Lithuania, Morocco, Belgium, and Mexico.

Meanwhile, three content stages—the Asiafruit Congress, Asiafruit Business Forum, and Asiafruit Showcase—will continue to provide attendees with professional insights and new business opportunities.

Several forums and seminars will also be hosted to discuss business strategies, industry trends, and innovative technologies, offering valuable learning and networking experiences.

Insights from exhibitors

To, a representative from an international trade company based in Hubei, shared that her company primarily produces grapes, citrus, and oranges, targeting Southeast Asian markets such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. 

As a first-time exhibitor, To expressed her desire to expand their customer network, leveraging the event’s well-known reputation.

Due to geopolitical factors and tariff policies, To mentioned challenges in exporting to Russia because of currency restrictions. She added that the company is now exploring markets like Dubai and Indonesia, which have fewer barriers.

Sugimoto, president of Japan's Sugimoto Farm, said his company focuses on citrus products, mainly exporting to Taiwan, with some sales in Hong Kong.

“While the Hong Kong market is smaller, the absence of tariffs makes it convenient for business,” Sugimoto noted.

After observing visitors’ interest in Japanese mikan orange juice at the event, he mentioned that the company is considering exporting this product to Hong Kong.

Zhang, the Global Business Director of the US Highbush Blueberry Council, said the council helps promote American blueberries products worldwide, including in Canada, Japan, China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia. 

She highlighted that the exhibition allows her to connect with customers and importers from various regions and gain insights into the opportunities and challenges they faced over the past year.

Despite this year’s tariff wars and geopolitical issues, Zhang reported no significant impact on the blueberry industry, stating, “While tariffs increase prices, our main concern is how to produce better products.”

Anna, from the Vietnamese fruit exporter Pico Agriviet, shared that the company primarily exports fruits like pomegranates, durians, longans, and coconuts to Malaysia, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. 

Participating in the event for the third time, she mentioned that she has previously exhibited in Malaysia and Thailand but finds Hong Kong to be the largest market.

She hopes to find more potential customers and partners while promoting Vietnamese products globally. She also expressed a desire to expand into larger markets like Europe and the United States but acknowledged challenges such as high operating costs and increasing tariffs.

Peru named official partner country

David Axiotis, Managing Director of event organizer Global Produce Events, announced that Peru has been named the Official Partner Country for this year’s event. Additionally, two leading wholesale markets in China—Guangzhou Jiangnan Market and Shanghai Huizhan Market—are participating as official wholesale market partners.

Featuring tailored programs for key players, Axiotis noted that the retailers' club has attracted over 200 top retail representatives, offering various programs designed for importers, wholesalers, and food processors.