【AICC Original Article】Anhui’s Quality Products Leverage SIAL to Build New Channels for Going Beyond the Province and Overseas

Recently, the SIAL International Food Expo held a media roundtable in Hefei, Anhui, themed “From Industrial Strength to Market Advantage.” The event attracted representatives from dozens of industry organizations — including the Hefei Catering and Culinary Association, Anhui Liquor Circulation Association, Anhui Green Food Association, and Anhui Catering Industry Association — as well as mainstream media. Participants jointly analyzed Anhui’s solid food and beverage industry foundation and current challenges, and engaged in in‑depth discussions on how to use the SIAL International Food Expo as an international trade platform to break through with brands and expand markets.

The Jianghuai region is rich in natural resources and has a deep food‑industry heritage, with an industry scale exceeding RMB 300 billion and more than ten thousand related enterprises. Anhui is not only a major national grain producer, but also holds leading positions in several niche sectors: the nut and roasted‑seed snack industry are in the leading position in the country; the baijiu (white liquor) sector has a profound tradition with renowned brands such as Gujinggong and Kouzi Distillery; beverage manufacturing and OEM capabilities are strong, producing several national brands; and the catering chain sector has produced leading enterprises like Laoxiangji (Home Original Chicken) and Babi Foods — making “Anhui strength” a significant presence in the national catering market. In addition, leveraging traditional Chinese medicine resources in places like Bozhou, Anhui shows huge development potential in emerging tracks such as medicinal‑food health products and prepared dishes.

With 62 years of global history and 26 years of presence in the Chinese market, the SIAL International Food Expo has become a trusted global trade “efficiency engine” for the food and beverage industry. Participating in SIAL effectively puts exhibitors on a “expressway” to nationwide exposure and global connections.

For professional buyers, the SIAL International Food Expo is an irreplaceable “treasury for product selection.” Over the three‑day exhibition, buyers can efficiently screen thousands of high‑quality global suppliers and discover numerous differentiated products like Anhui’s green foods, thereby optimizing supply chains and building competitive barriers. Concurrent events such as the SIAL World Food Industry Summit and the SIAL Innovation Competition also help buyers keenly capture the latest global product trends and consumer directions.

Against the backdrop of channel transformation, Anhui’s food and beverage industry stands at a critical historical juncture in its shift from a “major production province” to a “strong branding province.” From May 18 to 20 this year, SIAL Shanghai will be grandly held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre; and from September 3 to 5, SIAL Guangzhou will follow. Anhui food producers, catering brands, channel partners, industry experts and media friends are invited to attend these flagship industry events to convert Anhui’s food and beverage advantages into tangible market wins, let global consumers experience Anhui flavors, and witness the rise of Anhui brands.

Source: anhuinews.com