Vietnamese Food Products at Japan's First International Food Expo in Osaka

Despite the continuing impact of Covid-19 on economic and social activity in Japan and worldwide, the organisers of JFEX – Japan International Food Expo decided, in response to the growth of Japan's food industry, to hold the fair in Japan for the first time. It took place in Osaka over three days, 17–19 November 2021.

Key facts from the article

• Japan depends on imports for about 60% of its food, with self-sufficiency of only about 40%, making it one of the five largest food importers in the world.
• JFEX is a B2B trade fair bringing together food and drink businesses from around the world.
• More than 200 companies registered to exhibit at the first edition, and preliminary estimates put attendance at more than 35,000 visitors over the three days.

Three specialised sections

• Japan International Processed Food Expo: frozen and packaged foods, confectionery, baby food, agricultural and seafood products, food ingredients and additives, food packaging and more.
• Japan International Wine and Spirits Expo: wine, beer, whisky, liqueurs, sake, fruit wine, shochu and other drinks.
• Japan International Meat and Dairy Expo: beef, pork, processed meat and dairy products.

The main organiser is RX Japan (formerly Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd.), which runs around 84 trade shows a year in Tokyo and Osaka across 34 sectors. Invited visitors include buyers from restaurants, hotels and supermarkets, food service companies, importers, distributors and wholesalers.

Vietnamese products at the fair

Vietnamese food products were present even at this first edition. Bac Trung Nam Seafood JSC exhibited canned tuna and canned pet food. Because of Covid-19, most Vietnamese companies could not travel, but their Japanese importing partners staffed booths and promoted Vietnamese processed foods, including Vietcoco coconut products, CP-brand dried rice vermicelli and pho noodles, confectionery, soft dried fruit, spices and coffee. These products drew strong interest from companies and visitors.

The Vietnam Trade Office in Osaka took part in the fair at the organisers' invitation, met Vietnamese companies and Japanese importers to promote Vietnamese products, and plans to keep working with trade-fair organisers in the region to support Vietnamese exporters and importers, diversify distribution channels and increase sales of Vietnamese goods in the Kansai region and Japan as a whole.

Source: figures as reported in the Vietnamese-language article published on this website on 29 November 2021.

Vinh Nam Anh Co., Ltd. supplies food additives and ingredients for food manufacturers. Contact: Ms. Hồng 0919.122123 – Hotline 0916.348319.