BANGKOK: Thailand shows support to its local entrepreneurs, as more than 1,300 local companies featured across over 3,500 booths in the THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2026 food and beverage exhibit held here from May 26 to 30.
Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Vice-Chairman Kitsana Vachekrilas said the Chamber aims to establish THAIFEX Anuga Asia as an effective business matching platform, enabling SMEs, start-ups and large corporations to connect directly with importers, buyers and strategic business partners from global markets.
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“We aim to support Thai entrepreneurs at every level—from SMEs and large corporations to start-ups—by providing opportunities to introduce their products and services to both domestic and international markets while connecting them with high-potential importers and buyers,” he said.
He added that the TCC’s nationwide network of more than 250,000 business members will play a key role in strengthening meaningful business connections and accelerating the growth of Thailand’s food industry.
“Thailand’s food and beverage industry is internationally recognised, with the country currently ranked as the world’s 15th largest food exporter. Our ambition is to elevate Thailand into one of the world’s top 10 food-exporting nations in the future,” he said.
Kitsana noted that THAIFEX Anuga Asia serves as a valuable platform for entrepreneurs to showcase products that align with emerging global trends.
These include processed foods, future food innovations such as plant-based products, and sustainability-focused solutions including zero-waste products, biodegradable packaging, and organic-certified offerings.
The exhibition also highlighted functional foods, health foods, probiotics and Thai herbal products which are expected to attract new buyer segments while creating opportunities for business negotiations, export expansion and accelerated market growth.
Meanwhile, Koelnmesse Managing Director and Regional President Asia Pacific Mathias Kuepper said this year’s edition emphasised strongly on innovation, sourcing opportunities and market direction.
“Buyers will gain access to new products, emerging brands, and evolving sourcing opportunities within a concentrated space designed to facilitate discovery and business engagement,” he said, highlighting the Startup Showcase as an area for buyers to connect with promising brands before wider market distribution.
Additionally, the Trend Zone, developed in collaboration with Innova Market Insights, offered valuable insights into the consumer and market trends influencing product development and purchasing decisions across the global food and beverage sector.
Products were also tested and demonstrated in real-world culinary applications through the Alternative Protein Taste and Flavour Challenge as well as the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge, both held during the exhibit.
Mathias added that THAIFEX Anuga Asia 2026 also welcomed new international exhibitors from Armenia, Finland, Georgia, Lebanon and Mongolia, as well as the expansion of Argentina, Belgium, Chile (Seafood Sector), Italy, Saudi Arabia, Spain and Uzbekistan through national pavilions.
He said the event attracted strong international buyer presence, with more than 50pc of participants in the Hosted Buyers Programme attending for the first time.
Confirmed buyers include NTUC FairPrice, City Mart Holding, Korea Seven, and Big C, further strengthening the event’s role as a premier sourcing and business networking platform for the global food and beverage industry.
THAIFEX Anuga Asia continues to serve as a gateway for innovation, trade, and international collaboration, supporting the growth of Thailand’s food sector while connecting businesses with opportunities across global markets.
