The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is bridging traditional Chiu Chow culinary brands with international markets through its annual Chiu Chow festival, where exhibitors have reported robust sales and discovered potential in new markets.
The 5th Hong Kong Chiu Chow Festival was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from June 5 through 9, and featured the largest number of food stalls ever; the total number of visitors this year increased by over 20 percent compared to the previous year, according to the organizer, the Federation of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Community Organizations.
Featuring nearly 100 food stalls and vendors, this year’s festival attracted over 50,000 visitors in its first four days, according to Chan Heung-lin, vice-president of the Federation of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Community Organizations.
“Concluding with remarkable success, this year's Hong Kong Chiu Chow Festival demonstrates the city’s unique position as a hub for cultural and artistic exchange between China and the rest of the world,” said Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism at the Festival’s closing ceremony.
Chen Yuefeng, owner of Shantou Wanzhuang Food Co Ltd — a meatball supplier from Shantou, Guangdong province — returned to the festival this year for his second time as an exhibitor.
ALSO READ: Yu Lan Festival: Come home to depart
“Sales have been excellent. Customers line up in front of our counter every day, from 11 am until 3 or 4 pm,” he said. “Our average daily turnover is around HK$60,000 ($7655).”
“We came well-prepared for this year’s exhibition and brought nearly 4,000 kilograms of goods all at once, which gave us a competitive edge,” Chen added.
On the last day of the festival, nine out of the 11 products listed on his counter's banner were sold out.
Buoyed by such strong sales numbers, Chen said he will participate in future festivals. He added that he is actively seeking local distributors to establish a foothold in the Hong Kong market.
The authentic cultural showcase also caught the attention of international visitors. Jason McManus, a theme park creative executive from the United States who was visiting Hong Kong for a separate conference, said the event offered unique opportunities.
READ MORE: Discover Chiu Chow wonders
“It’s wonderful. Even though I can’t read everything, I’m just enjoying the energy and the variety of food offerings,” he said. “I feel like I’m already absorbing the culture just being here.”
McManus is currently expanding his business in Asia, China in particular, and said that attending the Chiu Chow fesitival has persuaded him to learn more about the Chiu Chow region in China.
“Obviously, it’s just great to come out here, experience the culture, and form a deeper connection here,” McManus added. “It helps us when we are trying to do more business with the region.”
Contact the writer at rayjia@chinadailyhk.com
