BANGKOK, May 27 (Xinhua) -- THAIFEX-ANUGA ASIA 2026, the region's leading food and beverage trade fair, officially opened here on Wednesday, drawing buyers from more than 130 countries and regions worldwide to engage in business negotiations.
With over 90,000 expected visitors, the exhibition has expanded to its largest scale to date, spanning over 140,000 square meters and featuring 3,590 exhibiting companies from Thailand and 56 other countries and territories spread across 6,710 booths.
This year's edition introduced a dedicated space for newly launched products, emerging brands, and innovations that have not yet entered mainstream distribution channels, as organizers target over 130 billion baht (about 3.99 billion U.S. dollars) in trade value.
In his opening remarks, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul highlighted the food industry as one of Thailand's primary strengths.
Anutin emphasized that Thailand is evolving past its traditional global recognition as the "Kitchen of the World" to become a future food hub characterized by innovation, health, and sustainability.
The Thai government continues to prioritize advancements in smart agriculture, biotechnology, alternative proteins, and the Bio-Circular-Green Economy model to ensure long-term, sustainable growth, he added.
Jointly organized by Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Germany's Koelnmesse, the expo accommodates products across nine key sectors, with offerings ranging from mainstream consumer goods to future food and sustainable food innovations.
The five-day event through Saturday also included special exhibitions, seminars, and activities designed to keep attendees up to date on food trends, consumer needs, industry insights, and forward-thinking experiences that promote business growth and long-term success. ■