The World of Food Beijing event will open at the capital's China National Convention Center on Nov. 2 and will showcase sundry produce from over 500 exhibitors until Nov. 28.
The food convention allows international native food suppliers to put their products under the spotlight. It will cover 30,000 square meters of exhibition area and is expected to accommodate 500 participants, with 203 coming from 26 countries such as Australia, Germany, Italy, Thailand and the Republic of Korea.
The event was set up by German-based famous expo organizer Koelnmesse along with the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce.
Food products that will be on display include coffee, convenience foods, dairies, edible oil, frozen foods, fruits, meats, seasonings, sweets, teas, vegetables and wines.
In the previous five years, China's food importation grew over 20 percent year-on-year. The value of imported food reached $36.9 billion in 2011, which is a 37.1-percent increase from 2010. The number surged to $40.8 billion, an increase of 25.1 percent, during the January-November period in 2012, based on a report from the U.S. Association of Food Industries (AFI).
AFI estimates that China will have its imported food value growing up to $80 billion, which will make the country the largest consumer of imported food in the world by 2018.
Koelnmesse vice president Michael Dreyer said that the upcoming food convention will help boost the development of both China and the Asia Pacific region's food markets.
Participants who will be attending the Beijing event include 7-11, BHG, Parkson and OLE. Online commerce firms such as womai.com, Yihaodian and the Jingdong Mall will be seeking business partners during the food convention.
Aside from the aforementioned firms, numerous catering companies and hotels will also be looking for potential suppliers at the expo.
Three other food conventions, Sweets & Snacks China, International Catering Expo and the China International Dairy & Food Expo will also be held this November.