FHC Shanghai 2013: The Premier Showcase for Global Food and Beverage Imports

When you're sourcing global ingredients—whether you're a barista, chef, or buyer—nothing beats seeing products in person with the people who supply them. But most food expos mix amateurs with pros. So where can you meet qualified buyers and vetted suppliers all in one place? That’s the promise FHC delivers—and in 2013, it more than lived up to it.

In November 2013, FHC Shanghai attracted 1,820 exhibitors from 70 countries and regions, and 33,839 qualified trade visitors over three days. Both numbers marked a 20% increase in quality and quantity over the previous year, according to exhibitors and industry reps.

What Made FHC 2013 Different

Unlike general trade shows, FHC is known for its strictly professional audience and exhibitor base. “The visitors were very high quality—this is something we hadn’t seen before in China,” said Bozena Wroblewska of the Polish Chamber of Commerce. Andrew Simpson from Meat & Livestock Australia confirmed the crowd was both larger and more engaged, up 20% on both counts year-on-year.

The show floor featured a massive Taiwan pavilion with 135 booths—the largest national group—and exhibitors unanimously praised the event. “All our companies were satisfied. We’ve already booked next year’s space,” said Wu Zhiyi from Taiwan’s Trade Center.

Global Flavors Under One Roof

FHC 2013 was China’s biggest imported food event, showcasing premium offerings from around the world. Attendees could sample and source everything from Danish pork and seafood, American snacks, and British dairy, to Thai spices, Indian rice, Spanish ham, French chocolates, Italian olive oil, and Singaporean condiments. Over 184 import/export trading firms and global suppliers connected with distributors, supermarket buyers, and hospitality partners across China and Asia.

Geographically, 48% of attendees were from Shanghai, 39% from other parts of China, and 12% from overseas—totaling 4,147 international visitors.

ProWine China and Coffee Competitions

Running alongside FHC was ProWine China, a dedicated wine fair co-organized by Messe Düsseldorf and Shanghai’s HWAH International. The event hosted 570 wine producers and distributors from 30 countries, drawing 7,651 wine professionals. Visitors attended masterclasses and witnessed the finals of the China Sommelier Challenge—an exclusive blind-tasting competition judged by sommeliers from five-star hotels.

Beyond wine, FHC also featured a dedicated coffee and tea zone. Exhibitors showcased brewing equipment, distillation gear, ingredients, and serving ware. The coffee area buzzed with competition: champions from Russia, the United States, and China battled it out, serving world-class espressos, lattes, and creative coffee drinks. Visitors witnessed barista skills rarely seen outside competition circuits.

More Than Just Food and Drink

FHC 2013 included other specialized zones: a fresh meat and seafood section highlighted by prominent displays from Australia, Denmark, New Zealand, and Brazil. There was also a dedicated ice cream area with suppliers offering ingredients and machinery.

Off the trade floor, the Shanghai International Culinary Arts Competition drew 350 chefs competing in 15 categories authorized by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies. As the only WACS-sanctioned event in China, winners took home globally recognized trophies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where was FHC 2013 held and when?

FHC 2013 took place in Shanghai from November 13 to 15, 2013. The next edition is scheduled for November 12–14, 2014, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

How many exhibitors and visitors attended FHC 2013?

The 2013 event hosted 1,820 exhibitors from 70 countries and regions, and welcomed 33,839 professional visitors. Of those, 13,217 came from other parts of China, and 4,147 were international.

What countries had notable pavilions or delegations at FHC 2013?

Taiwan had the largest national pavilion with 135 booths. Other prominent country delegations included Australia (beef), Denmark (pork and seafood), the United States (snacks), Thailand (spices), India (rice), the UK (dairy), Spain (ham), Italy (olive oil), France (chocolates), and others.

Was there a coffee or tea section at FHC 2013?

Yes, FHC 2013 featured a dedicated professional coffee and tea zone. Exhibitors presented coffee brewing equipment, ingredients, distillation tools, and serving accessories. The area also hosted a high-level barista competition with champions from Russia, the US, and China.

What other special events happened at FHC 2013?

Besides ProWine China and the coffee competitions, FHC 2013 hosted the Shanghai International Culinary Arts Competition, featuring 350 chefs in 15 internationally sanctioned categories. The winner received a trophy from the World Association of Chefs’ Societies.

What is ProWine China and how is it related to FHC?

ProWine China is a professional wine exhibition co-organized by Messe Düsseldorf and HWAH International. It ran concurrently with FHC 2013, featuring 570 wine producers and distributors from 30 countries, along with masterclasses and the China Sommelier Challenge.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans for Food Pairings

For pairing with the global flavors at FHC, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for bright floral and citrus notes, perfect with spicy or citrusy dishes; the PWN Golden Mandheling for full-bodied, spicy chocolate tones that complement desserts and cheeses; and the Yirgacheffe for juicy berry and lemon acidity, ideal with fresh salads and light pastries. All are single-origin coffees roasted to highlight their unique profiles. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.