ProWine Hong Kong, as the first international wine and spirits trade fair to return to Hong Kong after the easing of the post-pandemic travel restriction, was successfully held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 10 to 12. Industry professionals including exhibitors, trade visitors, and partners from around the world gathered here to discuss the future trends of the global wine and spirits market, and to share opportunities and challenges in the wine market. ProWine Hong Kong provides a gateway for global wine producers to expand their business into Asia, while also providing a high-quality platform for local buyers to source the best wine from around the world.
The 3-day event welcomed a total of 140 exhibitors from 12 countries/regions and received 11,733 trade buyers.
I. Strong recovery in the Asian wine market attracts enthusiastic national pavilions
At ProWine Hong Kong 2023, it was a pleasure to observe that wine producers from France, Germany, Italy, the United States, and the Chinese mainland, along with international and national pavilions, have chosen Asia as their primary target market. Wine enterprises are utilizing the ProWine Hong Kong business platform to reach a wider pool of potential customers and expand their business in Asia. The three-day trade fair was a testament to the thriving growth of the Asian wine market.
Mr. Peter Schmitz, Director of ProWein said: “We are very glad to organize ProWine Hong Kong 2023 as scheduled. As the first international wine and spirits trade fair in Hong Kong after the pandemic, though it is still another step to return the post covid for the wine business globally, we think Hong Kong is always one of the most important wine consumption markets and also the harbor to Northeast Asia market when we got the positive feedbacks from both exhibitors and visitors. “
Ian Roberts, Vice President Asia at Informa Markets said. "With totally attracted 42,556 visitors to ProWine Hong Kong and HOFEX, it is a very great number for the industry. By holding ProWine Hong Kong with HOFEX (Asia's leading food and hospitality trade show), we are able to attract together all the food and drink importers and distributors to this one stop platform. "
II. Hong Kong: the crucial convergence point for the thriving Asian wine market
Hong Kong, as a significant trading hub and port in the Asia-Pacific area, holds a pivotal position in advancing the Asian wine market. During ProWine Hong Kong 2023, great variety French wine regions were shown under the umbrella of Business France, and German wines were presented with a national pavilion supported by German Wine Institute as one of the national pavilions as well in ProWine Hong Kong 2023. Italian Trade Commission also showcased their country's best wines this year during the fair. In addition, Ningxia Helan Mountain's East Foothill Wine Region, introduced a variety of Chinese fine wines to ProWine Hong Kong 2023. ProWine Hong Kong brought together local and international wine producers to explore new prospects and opportunities in the burgeoning Asian wine market.
Huang Siming, Director of Ningxia Helan Mountain's East Foothill Wine Industry Park Management Committee explained: “This year marks the first time that the Ningxia Helan Mountain’s East Foothills Wine Region has participated in the ProWine Hong Kong. In recent years, our region has made great strides and more and more companies are focusing on the promotion and expansion of overseas markets. Given Hong Kong's status as a well-established wine consumer market, it is an important target for our region. During the three-day event, visitors showed a keen interest in the wines from Ningxia. We would like to invite everyone to visit our region, enjoy the beautiful scenery, savor the wines, and discuss the bright future of wines from Ningxia Helan Mountain's East Foothill.”
III. Brilliant concurrent events and fascinating trend-setting discussions
ProWine Hong Kong 2023 featured an array of nearly 30 forums, masterclasses, and conferences. The high caliber of these events attracted professionals eager to learn from the world's leading wine gurus. Esteemed Debra Meiburg MW, Corinne Mui, an award-winning wine & sake educator and writer and many other industry celebrities engaged in lively discussions on cutting-edge topics, such as The Future and Development of Wine in Asia promoting the wine market in Asia Pacific. The trade visitors at ProWine Hong Kong expressed great satisfaction with these industry-focused events.
Nicole LEE，Director of Taiwan media AOW said: “I am glad to see that ProWine Hong Kong still maintains a high level of international standards and speaks for the industry. The vitality of the wine market is bursting out here, and the exchange between wine merchants in the mainland and Hong Kong is no longer restricted, which is also conducive to the development of the industry. It is reassuring that the market is back to normal and even beyond.”
Debra Meiburg MW said: “ProWine Hong Kong has proven itself over many years to be a dynamic and market-leading trade platform - for wine education, development of business and progression of the industry as a whole. As Hong Kong's mid-market continues to strengthen, it is more important than ever to offer training and development opportunities for wine professionals and to create a premier environment to meet and do business with importers and distributors.”
David Yao, General Manager of Zhuhai Q&D Cultural communication Co., Ltd, said: “The year 2023 holds the promise of anticipation and hope. The revival of the Asian wine market hinges on professional trade shows like ProWine Hong Kong to provide a much-needed boost. As a wine practitioner and promoter in the Greater Bay Area, attending each edition of the event has become a habit of mine. This year, I have brought along ten industry friends from the mainland to participate. Here, we could hear the voice of the Asian market to fine-tune our strategies for market penetration, while exploring emerging wine products from around the world that are suitable for the mainland consumer market, without having to leave the country."
As with previous editions, ProWine Hong Kong 2023 was once again co-located with HOFEX, which made its debut in 1987 and has been committed to spearheading the development and progress of the food, beverage and hospitality industry. HOFEX has consistently provided the most comprehensive and reliable guide to the food and beverage, hospitality equipment, and supplies industry in Asia. HOFEX 2023 attracted over 1,200 international exhibitors and brands from more than 16 countries and regions and was able to welcome a total of over 30,823 visitors, maintaining its position as the leading food and hospitality industry exhibition in Asia.
IV. ProWine Hong Kong 2025 and ProWein World look forward to your participation
ProWine Hong Kong 2025 will return on May 14-16, 2025, to continue its success story. The powerful ProWein World network will offer more exciting events around the world waiting for your participation:
ProWine Sao Paulo 2023, October 3 to 5
ProWine Shanghai 2023, November 8 to 10, "10th anniversary"
ProWine Mumbai 2023, November 24 to 25
ProWein 2024, March 10 to 12
ProWine Tokyo 2024, April 10 to 12
ProWine Singapore 2024, April 23 to 26
ProWine Hong Kong 2025, May 14 to 16
