Representing the Vietnam Food Association, we joined Food Expo Pro this year to showcase our main product which is rice grains. Vietnam ranked third globally in rice exports in 2024, and we expect to rank second in the coming year. We brought 20 leading Vietnamese companies to exhibit together to strengthen our Hong Kong market.
As Hong Kong remains a unique and high-end market, we see strong demand for premium rice varieties, such as Vietnam’s high-quality fragrant rice. In fact, around 40% of Vietnam’s premium rice exports are used by the Hong Kong market. The Food Expo PRO is crucial for us to expand our business and rice business to our key export partner. We hope to connect with more Hong Kong rice enterprises and introduce premium products like ST25 Vietnam Rice in the expo, which has generated interest among Hong Kong companies.
Our mission is to gather the most successful and important Vietnamese rice enterprises and help them reach new customers in Hong Kong, recommending them to use HKTDC’s digital platforms, such as hktdc.com Sourcing and Click2Match, to enhance their exposure and business matching opportunities. These companies got a variety of enquiries through the platform prior to the fair, and we did see in-person visits as a result of the platform provided. We expect follow-ups to occur for such rice products, and HKTDC tools will remain a key component to securing any deals.
We look forward to continuing our close relationship with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and growing the presence of high-quality Vietnamese rice in such a dynamic market.
This was our first time participating in the HKTDC Food Expo PRO, and it’s been a valuable experience for our team. We sell both frozen and preserved meat products, and during the fair, we connected with over 70 companies. While we’re focused on finding quality buyers, we were pleased to meet promising contacts from Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines, with whom we hope to build long-term relationships.
The Click2Match platform played a vital role in helping us engage with buyers even before they visited our booth. For example, a Mongolian buyer reached out through Click2Match and later visited us in person, taking several samples of our products. This kind of seamless online-to-offline interaction has been very productive.
One of the most exciting outcomes was meeting a Hong Kong supermarket chain interested in placing regular orders for our cured hams. We expect to ship around 50kg monthly to this client, with projected growth to 70–90kg per month in the near future. Additionally, the Hong Kong Jockey Club showed interest in our products and took three sample packs during the fair.
We’re very satisfied with our experience at the HKTDC exhibition. It’s not only helped us grow brand awareness but also introduced us to buyers from diverse backgrounds. This is just the beginning for us, and we look forward to returning next year.
Nakchun are pioneers in creating high quality rice wine through the fermentation of live yeast found in yellow clay. This is our first time exhibiting at HKTDC and we have found great success in finding potential buyers and distributors for an international audience. Initially we focused on working with Korean buyers but now we have more than 15 leads from the US, Russia, and also China.
At this year's HKTDC fair, we exceeded two contracts with new buyers. This is very good news for us and our expectations have been blown away. We were able to make a deal with a Hong Kong based supermarket with an estimated potential value of up to US$100 million. For the first batch of product, we expect to sell 5 pallets of rice wine.
The Hybrid Exhibition model has also been a very useful and convenient tool to make appointments and meet buyers. Additionally, the Scan2match function also saves us a lot of time to connect with different companies.
This year's arrangement for both B2B and B2C models has allowed our product to not only introduce our product to large scale suppliers but also to the everyday customer. The B2C arrangement has allowed our product to penetrate the Hong Kong wine market by resonating with regular people. We’ve had an amazing opportunity to share our brand to see how people react when they drink our rice wine.
SME Bank, also known as the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand. Our main mission is to support such businesses through financial services, including loans and investments, to help them grow their businesses both domestically and internationally, such as through events like the HKTDC Food Expo PRO. The event is a great platform for them to introduce the diversity of Thai food products to new markets.
We have seen great success from this initiative. So far, around 20 business matchings have been made per participating companies on the first day alone. They are expected to gain around ฿10,000,000 in sales annually as a direct result of the connections and opportunities attained from the fair, around 10% of their existing revenue.
I have also witnessed the success of EXHIBITION+ including Scan2Match to facilitate contact between exhibitors and buyers. It remains convenient and effective for our clients, with each company generating about 30 business matching leads and contacts during the event, one company even being the most scanned exhibitor of the day.
For many of our clients, this was their first time participating in the HKTDC Food Expo PRO. We chose this event because of our strong collaboration with the HKTDC, and because Hong Kong serves as a strategic gateway to expand into Mainland China, Taiwan, and the wider Asian market. Through our financial support and the exposure provided by the fair, we hope to help even more Thai SMEs succeed internationally.
Due to our cultural background, we offer a wide range of Halal products to countries like Singapore, Bahrain, and Dubai. Currently, we’re looking to expand into Saudi Arabia as the next step of our expansion plan.
Thanks to the fair we were able to meet a potential buyer from Mainland China (Jugard Foods Company Limited) who was interested in our Halal Milk Tea powder from (Oweva Corp) for their vending machines. We expect a high yield deal to be closed in a few months regarding a container worth around $50,000USD to $60,000 USD.
EXHIBITION+ is useful, a lot of buyers use Scan2Match to inquire about our Halal products and get us significant traffic to customers. From the fair, both online and offline we’ve met over 100 different companies.
I think in the future, the Halal symbol on products will be an important factor when it comes to commerce between Asia and the Middle East.
The Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) is satisfied with this exhibition, considering it an important opportunity and experience for SMEs in the food and beverage sector. This is in line with the policy to support and promote entrepreneurs in expanding into international markets.
The current notable product trend is plant-based or alternative protein foods. As well as foods with targeted nutritional value, such as those designed for patients or the elderly. Because people are paying more attention to their health and wellness, healthy foods are gaining popularity.
During the fair, we had the privilege of arranging more than 48 business matchings to our exhibitors. The potential order value amounted to USD 623,500, with promising orders anticipated from a diverse range of countries including Hong Kong, Romania, Vietnam, Malaysia, New Zealand, Hungary, Japan, Egypt, Russia, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Kazakhstan. We were able to achieve our objectives of fostering international partnerships and expanding our global reach.
Founded in 1928, we have been manufacturing soy sauce, condiments, and seasonings in Yuen Long, Hong Kong. Over 90% of our business is exported to North America, Europe, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, with a small portion coming from the retail and dining sectors.
We aim to specifically promote our halal-certified products at the fair, having already engaged with 4-5 Mainland China and local distributors and small restaurants who are very interested in our halal products. They are interested in our double-head soy sauce. Displaying our halal certification on the hktdc.com Sourcing effectively enhances customer confidence. Lots of potential buyers who see the certification at our booth will stop to ask for more details.
Through the Click2Match platform, we have been arranged for three meetings, one of which is our target buyer from Indonesia. We will follow up with discussions after the fair. Another goal is to connect with more new customers. Yet we met three existing distributors, importers, and local logistics providers at the fair.
EXHIBITION+ model simplifies the traditional negotiation process by browsing our platform, scanning QR code at our booth. These tools greatly facilitate a smooth relationship transition from offline to online before and after the fair.
We are from the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Philexport, Cavite Chapter. Bringing 5 companies from Cavite, the regional goods include alamang, achara, toasted pastillas, farmer coffee, and Tuna Mason aimed for the Philippines and Southeast Asian markets.
As the first time joining HKTDC Food Expo PRO, we see this event as an excellent opportunity to open doors for us in the global market. We saw an overwhelming influx of visitors to our booth despite the black rainstorm warning and delay in exhibition opening, comprising of mainly B2B and some B2C visitors. These contacts are from Hong Kong, Japan, the Middle East, Europe, Malaysia, Thailand, Hungary, Egypt, Brazil, and many more.
Around 100 buyers visited our booth on the first day alone, with the majority expressing strong interest and making appointments to discuss business, with our premium coffee also catching the attention of hotel chains from Saudi Arabia and Mainland China. We anticipate around 500 buyers by the end of the fair, which could grow our businesses by four or five times their original annual value. For the toasted pastillas, their current sales are around US$120,000 annually, and we expect it to grow to US$600,000 as a result of the leads gained from this fair.
It is of utmost importance to list our products online before the fair so that buyers can preview and connect with us in advance. We see great value in Click2Match and Scan2Match, as many buyers could have used these features to contact us directly and follow up during and after the event. Especially for the month after the fair when those who missed our booth may still be able to spot our products on hktdc.com Sourcing.
Overall, we see tremendous value in continuing to participate in HKTDC Food Expo PRO, and using its digital platforms for future events. These will help connect with buyers year-round and continue to drive our growth globally.
Our company, Sagin Connect Co., Ltd. (The Bank of Saga Ltd.), is headquartered in Saga Prefecture in northern Kyushu, Japan. The area is known for its abundance of delicious foods, such as Saga beef, premium Japanese wagyu, strawberries, mandarins, other fresh fruits, and sake. The export of local products to Hong Kong has been well received.
Our ultimate goal for the Memorandum of Understanding is to promote the regional economy and support the growth of small to medium-sized enterprises in Saga, Fukuoka and Nagasaki. The fair allows us to connect local businesses and further their development in Hong Kong and beyond, revitalising both the local economy and prosperity of the region. Collaborating with HKTDC and Hong Kong benefits both sides through strong business bonds. Expanding internationally, the fair is an ideal first step with the strong interest in Japanese products, serving as a gateway to reaching global markets. By strengthening the partnership between Saga Bank and HKTDC, we can develop not only economically but also through people-to-people exchanges. This MOU is an important step in achieving our primary goals.
Prior to the fair, we have received at least ten inquiries through Click2Match, which led to face-to-face meetings and increased exposure for our products on HKTDC Sourcing.com. The hybrid model, combining online and offline interactions, has been particularly useful for us in sustaining consumer interest. Regarding the exhibition, we found the Scan2Match feature extremely effective, being the most scanned exhibitor of the day. Such meetings in person remain essential for building trust. The Exhibition+ model, guiding us from online to offline, establishes solid business relationships.
We look forward to continuing to work with the HKTDC to further strengthen these connections and create new opportunities for our local economy.
Our company specializes in the cultivation, processing, and sales of konjac-based food products. Our offerings are low in calories and fat but high in dietary fiber, making them an ideal healthy staple for diabetics and consumers looking to manage their weight.
This time, we aim to use the expo as a gateway to expand into the Hong Kong and broader Asian markets, including Japan and Singapore. Both existing and new clients attending the expo will engage in discussions with us.
We have participated in this expo for four consecutive years. One of the key takeaways this year was meeting face-to-face with Hong Kong clients who previously communicated with us via email. These clients purchase our I’m products annually, and we were delighted to finally meet them in person, not only strengthening relationships with existing customers but also securing new orders.
Our communication via email ahead of the fair translated into offline sales at the expo. This year’s sales performance has exceeded expectations. On the very first day of the expo, we signed an order exceeding US$5 million with Seaking Foods Ltd from Hong Kong, already meeting our sales target for the future year. This US$5 million order covers the full promotion and procurement of our new products. As a long-term partner, the company expressed great satisfaction and excitement about this deal.
Additionally, the HKTDC has introduced us to many professional clients, including highly promising partners such as health-focused catering businesses and supermarket retailers. These clients have shown a strong interest in our products. This afternoon, we will meet with three clients recommended by HKTDC to focus on promoting our konjac rice.
Currently, we have about four to five potential buyers from Japan, Singapore, and other regions showing strong intent to collaborate, with orders likely to materialize soon.
Through HKTDC.com Sourcing platform, we received 20 to 30 emails from last night until now and have already scheduled meetings with six to seven clients for on-site negotiations today. This online-offline hybrid model has significantly boosted our exposure and efficiency in connecting with clients.
Overall, HKTDC’s Exhibition+ smart model is highly efficient. Clients can accurately locate target exhibitors by scanning QR codes, while we avoid wasting time on unqualified leads.
Established in 1933, we are a German family-run trading company. Along with our existing partners from China, Korea, Japan and Germany, we are expanding our market to Europe, Spain, France, Poland, the Middle East, South Africa, Philippines, with another focus to source Asian products for the German market.
Three weeks before the fair, I have sent requests to all the interested buyers via Click2Match. It is undoubtedly an amazing platform. I received 10 business meetings. They are distributors and importers from the UK, US, Canada and other European countries.
A potential partner that I met at the booth last year is close to confirming his deal on Korean sauces, we are now finalizing the orders with a small sample size. It is crucial for me to utilize these digital tools to secure a steady customer relationship which is a challenge in every single fair.
It is one of my proactive strategies to start a conversation with visitors who stopped in front of our display for just a few seconds. We received 3 enquiries from India and the Middle East via Scan2Match. We also listed all our Asian products, such as Hi A Kuan Instant Noodle on hktdc.com Sourcing.
We also have a wide range of halal products ranging from instant noodles, oyster sauce, and glass noodles. We’ve had inquiries about our Halal products from Muslim countries such as UAE, Pakistan, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia.
We are in the final steps of closing a deal with a client that we met last year from the Food Expo PRO fair for our Halal instant noodles.
We normally export by the container and straight to our clients warehouses, depending on the amount we could be looking at 50,000 USD for a container of Halal instant noodles. The buyers at this fair could sometimes buy 1 to 5.
The EXHIBITION+ model has been very efficient in nurturing long-term relationships and transiting all the opportunities to online communication. After the fair, I will email and call back all the potential leads I got from Scan2Match and Click2Match.
Established in 2018, we have been manufacturing modified soft diet products for the elderly. I am seeking new opportunities with more international buyers, distributors and companies from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.
We are very surprised to see an increase in the variety and traffic of overseas buyers and exhibitors compared with another fair from the HKTDC. During the fair, buyers’ response has been positive, with nearly 120 buyers coming to our booth. A potential business partnership with a Thai distributor is promising. We also got some in-depth enquiries from Vietnamese distributors and buyers via Click2Match.
Before the fair, I have set up my sourcing.com platform to locate some potential customer needs which effectively drew the flow of overseas buyers to visit our booth. Our unique products and philosophy are always aligned with ESG certifications.
On the last day of the fair, HKTDC has been very helpful in arranging tour groups to visit our store. They were very highly specialised in the health and medical field, so they understood our products and saw a market fit potential. Out of the group, there are 1-2 potential buyers who we are looking to follow up for further discussion.
We are also in talks with 2 Hospital Authority hospitals to discuss the potential of supplying soft meals to them.
There was one online high-potential customer who came to try our drink. We further continued our discussion via Scan2match. The platform fostered the establishment of offline to online relationships. I also like the section addressing the next trend in the sourcing newsletter which surely benefits every company.
With the support of the EXHIBITION+ model, we are able to use the least manpower to strategically and efficiently pinpoint and connect with our targeted customers.
Established in 2019, we leverage unique biotechnology to develop a liver detox capsule containing animal enzymes, designed to help with alcohol detoxification.
The EXHIBITION+ online-offline hybrid model strengthens connections with existing clients and accelerates the establishment of partnerships with new ones. At this fair, we gained multiple new contacts, including buyers and importers from Mainland China, Taiwan, and Poland, and secured retail orders with existing clients.
Two years ago, we connected with a Macau buyer via the hktdc.com sourcing platform, who became our sole distributor there. Through the Click2Match service, we also engaged a Singapore buyer, and after ongoing discussions, we are now finalising collaboration details. This year, we aim to secure more B2B partnerships and are in talks with a major Hong Kong department store.
We showcase our certificates and patents on the hktdc.com sourcing platform to boost buyer confidence and generate enquiries. For example, a Mainland China buyer enquired via the platform, scheduled a meeting at the exhibition, and has maintained contact since.
Our company, Towa Kanbutu Company Limited, was founded in 1977 in Shizuoka, Japan. We specialise in high-quality mushrooms—especially from Kyushu—as well as green tea powder, Japanese black rice, and select grains. Through participating in the Food Expo PRO, we have additionally reached potential customers from Malaysia, India, and other regions.
This is our third time participating in HKTDC exhibitions, and the EXHIBITION+ model has been significant in providing exposure and engagement before the fair, and sustaining contacts afterward. This model has helped us maintain connections and nurture 30 potential leads.
The hktdc.com Sourcing platform has proven highly effective. We have received enquiries from buyers in France, the United States, Mexico, Taiwan, and the Philippines, who have shown keen interest in our mushroom products. The platform has played a key role in opening new opportunities for us.
Scandia Food is a food manufacturing group with over a century of history—103 years in operation. We have expanded internationally to organisations such as the UN and the Red Cross, primarily for food aid that adhere with social responsibility principles.
Through the Food Expo PRO, I am also hoping to meet smaller producers and suppliers here who may not have direct access to the European market. I have discovered exhibitors from Japan and several Korean producers, as well as suppliers of concentrated and dried products, are easier and more cost-effective to ship to Europe.
I have met producers that I would not have encountered from fairs in Europe or Dubai. The Middle East is also an important market for us, and we are focusing also on halal food products during this trip.
HKTDC sourcing.com is extremely helpful for planning my meetings. I was able to select 24 companies to visit over three days, and the platform made it easy to browse and connect with potential suppliers in advance. I see real value in using it to maintain and expand business relationships beyond the exhibition, a seamless transition from online to offline.
The Click2Match AI matching and Scan2Match platforms have been very useful, helping me quickly sort through suppliers and save time. The Exhibition+ model has made it much easier to identify and connect with the right companies, delivering more hits than misses in my search for new partnerships.
We are a diversified group of companies based in Egypt, with operations in manufacturing, trading, and retail. We manage three supermarket chains in regions such as Europe, South America. This is our first time attending a HKTDC event, and we came to explore potential routes for suppliers with a particular focus on dairy, coffee, and cocoa powder products.
During Food Expo PRO and the Tea Fair, we met over 25 contacts from China, Poland, Japan, and Thailand. The diversity and quality of exhibitors were excellent. After exploring the venue, we came across several interesting companies. One that stood out was Eastsign, a Chinese company specializing in instant coffee machines and coffee capsules. If the pricing is right, we are considering spending more than $80,000 on a single container. Another company that caught our attention was Hangzhou Luyu Spring and Tea Industry, particularly their Matchcaps. We were impressed by the innovative design, and we believe these products could be a great addition to the Egyptian market.
I found the hybrid exhibition model much more helpful than the conventional fairs. The EXHIBITION+ model helps us seamlessly connect with suppliers, and provide us with online to offline connection opportunities. It saves a lot of time by allowing us to sort through companies in advance. Scan2Match was especially useful. Whenever I met someone at a booth, I could simply scan the QR code and message them later. It’s much more efficient than exchanging business cards. Scan2Match was the perfect tool for reaching out digitally and avoiding the usual delays that come with in-person meetings. We remain optimistic about returning in the future as the HKTDC is a hidden gem for expanding our network globally.
We are a leading exporter of frozen meat, dairy products, and convenient meal solutions, including ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat items. Our team attended Food Expo PRO with the goal of identifying innovative food technologies and trending products that align with the evolving tastes of the Vietnamese market.
Throughout the event, we engaged with over ten suppliers from Korea, China, Thailand, and Japan. Among them, Ato Food from Korea stood out as a promising potential partner. Their products align with the Vietnamese market. We are currently exploring sample orders of their instant noodles with frozen meat. We also saw strong potential in Chinese-made sauces and seasonings, which could complement our existing product lines.
The EXHIBITION+ model, particularly the Scan2Match feature, proved to be a valuable tool. It allowed us to initiate conversations with suppliers ahead of the fair and continue those discussions seamlessly afterward. The platform’s intuitive design and regular email updates helped us stay organized and focused, making it easier to identify and connect with relevant businesses.
Food Expo PRO continues to be an important fair for us. The hybrid exhibition model helps us discover new opportunities and build meaningful partnerships that support our growth in the region.
I represent DC I&E, a UK-based distributor with over 6,000 tons of storage capacity. We came to Food Expo PRO looking for a wide range of products to meet the growing demand in our market.
Through the online matching platform, we were able to connect with more than ten potential suppliers from Hong Kong, China, and Vietnam.
One of the products we were especially interested in was Vietnamese frozen shrimp dumplings and fish filets. These are perfect for high-volume distribution, and we started discussions with suppliers within a day of arriving.
We’ve attended HKTDC fairs more than three times before the pandemic, and every time I’ve come across something new. It’s always been a great place to discover innovation in the food industry, and we’re constantly looking for new opportunities to grow our portfolio.
This year, what really impressed me was the Scan2Match feature and the whole Exhibition+ model. It made everything so much easier. I could walk up to a booth, scan the QR code, and instantly get all the supplier’s information, as well as book future appointments. It saved me a lot of time and helped me stay organized, especially when it came to following up after the fair. It’s been a smooth and efficient experience.
The hybrid exhibition model works really well for us. Seeing the products in person helps us evaluate quality and potential, while the online meetings give us a better sense of the people behind the business. It’s a great combination that helps us build long-term relationships with confidence.
We are CSFA Holdings Shanghai Co. Ltd., focusing on food, daily necessities, and agricultural products, with our main market in Mainland China. Today, we engaged with nine exhibitors from Mainland China, the United States, South Korea, and other regions.
Currently, we are interested in placing an order for about 50 tons of coffee beans from an exhibitor in Yunnan, valued at approximately 3 million RMB, as well as an order for high-end ribbonfish valued at 700,000 RMB from a South Korean exhibitor. We are also very interested in wild pear products from Guizhou and are in the process of confirming the details and data.
We find the digital platform (Click2Match) provided by HKTDC very useful, as it helps me quickly locate the exhibitors I am looking for. In recent years, the consumer industry has been elevated, and the categories needed have been constantly changing. Being able to quickly identify the required industries and find corresponding manufacturers is very helpful for me and saves a lot of time. I believe HKTDC is doing an excellent job, providing great precision services.
Our company, Kodanmal Group Company Limited, is based in Thailand. We are a trading company specialising in canned Thai fruits, which we export globally.
I attended the HKTDC Food Expo Pro for the first time with the aim of sourcing new halal products and frozen foods to meet the demands of our customers in the Middle East and opportunities for markets in Europe, Russia, and Canada. The diversity of product zones at the fair, including the food, coffee, and halal zones, showcase respect for different cultures.
Through the fair, I was drawn by the invitation and the opportunity to connect with suppliers from Hong Kong and Mainland China—markets where I previously had no contacts. There were a variety of promising items, including teas, snacks, seafood, and noodles. The suppliers also came from a range of other countries such as Vietnam, Korea, Thailand.
Most of our supplies come from Thailand and Vietnam, but I am always looking to expand our international portfolio. I have already exchanged contacts and scheduled appointments with several suppliers, including upcoming factory visits in Thailand. In total, I connected with at least 10 suppliers during the event. These could consist of one container per company, equating to US$25,000-50,000. Once proven to be successful, the annual order amount will be increased to US$800,000-1,000,000. I estimate sales to start at US$1–2 million in total for suppliers at the event.
I relied both on in-person meetings and on the HKTDC’s digital platforms to research suppliers. Connecting with potential partners before and after the fair using tools like Click2Match and Scan2Match, made the process easy and effective for networking and follow-up. Overall, I am very satisfied with the experience and plan to return to future HKTDC events.
ANZ Pharma is a 110 million dollar wholesaler of packaged goods as well as chilled frozen goods for supermarkets. What we’re looking for are niche and premium as well as innovative that are also suitable for the ethnic channel and specialty stores. We are looking for functional tea.
We were very fortunate to be able to find Cho Cho Industry Ltd., a supplier that had zero cholesterol Instant noodles as well as premium product packaging that matches our target market in New Zealand. We were able to purchase a couple cartons of noodles from them to share with our buyers to get feedback. For example, if we go ahead with the purchase it will be at least 5-10 containers, we’re looking at a purchase of around USD$300,000 just for one container of noodles alone, depending on the volume it could be close to half a million USD in terms of potential sales. As the brand grows, it could become millions.
We were very fortunate to be able to find a new Sri Lankan tea supplier and we have some samples from them. I’m extremely glad that I visited the HKTDC fair to source for suitable suppliers for our market. This supplier offers functional tea for diabetes. This is very relevant in our market as diabetes is a big issue in New Zealand.
I’ve been to other exhibits around the world, but this is my first time at the HKTDC fair and I’m very impressed. I would definitely like to come back next year. I wish I had known about this fair earlier and I look forward to the potential of sourcing from the Asia region.
We will be placing orders with Cho Cho Industry Ltd. and Saya international that we met here at the fair, and will consider other companies from Poland, Kenya.
One benefit of using Scan2Match is allowing us to save time and quickly identify a business who matches our values and ethics of being sustainable and cut straight to market potential and ordering samples.
I’m very grateful for the organizers of this event for matching us up with companies and has given me the opportunity to meet with some suppliers right away.
Dah Chong Hong (Japan) Ltd, based in Hong Kong and Japan, focuses on import and export activities across multiple markets. We are actively seeking new suppliers and sourcing unique products that do not yet exist in the Japanese domestic market. Specifically, we import agricultural products, but we are now considering items such as frozen and chilled foods, such as chicken from China and processed fruits from Korea and Vietnam.
During the fair, I spoke with my customers in Thailand, who expressed interest in new ingredients. One exhibitor we connected with at the fair is Zhoushan Jingyuan Food Co., Ltd. Their octopus products seem attractive to my existing customers in Thailand, and after having three meetings during the fair, we are now just waiting for the final quotations. We are ready to place an order for one container, with an initial budget of around JP¥30,000,000.
The HKTDC.com Sourcing platform was also crucial in looking for products. I started searching on the platform and checked different supplier profiles, especially for fruits like blueberries and frozen items. The Click2Match platform is useful for sourcing and making initial contacts with around 8 companies, but it is important to follow up at the fair. Browsing the stalls in person, the Scan2Match function was useful for marking favorite stalls to get their complete information and build relationships. The whole process has been very smooth, from digital to physical, and I expect to connect with 15 suppliers or possibly even more.
Last year, I participated as an exhibitor, but this year I attended as a buyer to experience a different perspective. Being here as a buyer has been very fruitful, and I see great potential for new business opportunities from both sides.
DeliFans is an importer of frozen goods and currently operates ten retail shops. Each year, we attend the Food Expo PRO to source new products to sell and to stay up-to-date with market trends.
This year, the Food Expo PRO has been especially valuable for us in terms of expanding our international network. We made around 20 new contacts from around the world, with a particular interest in suppliers from Japan and Korea. The fair has been instrumental for us to meet exhibitors, try samples, and have direct conversations with potential suppliers.
The Scan2Match usage remains extensive. It allowed us to conveniently save exhibitor information and resulted in many successful matches. We see this as a useful tool that will help us continue to connect with potential suppliers after the event. The online-to-offline ecosystem provided by the fair makes it easy for us to rapidly follow up and pursue new business opportunities.
Looking ahead, we are particularly interested in sourcing halal chicken, halal seasonings, and other halal Malay products, as we see strong demand for these items in our market. The offerings from a dedicated halal zone are quite attractive to us. Overall, the Food Expo PRO has been an excellent platform for us to supplement our supplier network and secure new deals.