Asia’s premier trade show registers its most international attendance ever, attracting some 16,000 visitors from 95 countries and regions
Asia Fruit Logistica has concluded its 19th edition in Hong Kong, underlining its status as the premier global trade platform for Asia’s fresh produce business.
The show – which took place at AsiaWorld-Expo on 2-4 September – drew a record 16,000 attendees from 95 countries and regions, featuring more than 760 exhibitors from 41 countries across 27 national and regional pavilions.
“We are thrilled with the success of Asia Fruit Logistica 2026,” said David Axiotis, managing director of Messe Berlin China “We thank our partners Unitec, Imberri, DP World, Guangzhou Jiangnan Agricultural Group, and Shanghai Huizhan for their partnership. The energy on the show floor, the quality of the conversations, and the scale of international participation made this one of our strongest editions yet.”
A truly international buyer base
The show once again attracted a diverse and high-calibre international buyer base, welcoming thousands of buyers from across the globe. Key markets and regions represented included mainland China, Japan, Korea, Europe, South-East Asia, the Middle East, Russia and beyond.
A major highlight was the launch of the show’s inaugural Buyer Programme, which provided exclusive benefits to more than 1,600 qualified buyers and facilitated targeted, pre-scheduled business meetings across the three-day event.
This strong first-year result connected growers, exporters, marketers and technology providers directly with buyers seeking new products, reliable suppliers and long-term supply partnerships.
A grand welcome to Hong Kong
Asia Fruit Logistica 2026 opened with the Welcome Evening on 1 September at the Regent Hotel, co-hosted with market partners Guangzhou Jiangnan Agricultural Group, Shanghai Huizhan Fruit and Vegetable Market, and Knowledge Partner Asiafruit Magazine, bringing together around 350 industry leaders ahead of the show.
Asiafruit Knowledge Centre hears from top names
Exhibitors and visitors accessed expert insights at Asiafruit Knowledge Centre, powered by Asiafruit Magazine. More than 50 industry leaders took to the stage over the three-day programme, tackling a range of hot topics, from the global shipping challenge through the changing shape of the Asia trade to the future of massive markets such as China and the Middle East. Executives from three of the biggest brands in the global fruit business shared their expert perspectives on marketing to Asian consumers in the opening panel, which featured Driscoll’s global CMO Jiunn Shih, Sunkist Growers’ senior director of category management Cassie Howard, and Dole China’s GM of commercial, Leo Li.
The Nuts and Dried Fruit Forum (Day 1) and Frozen Fruit and Vegetables Forum (Day 2) also spotlighted the latest trends and opportunities in these fast-developing sectors.
Celebrating excellence: Asia Fruit Award winners announced
The Asia Fruit Awards 2026 – the premier pan-Asia awards recognising outstanding achievement in Asia’s fresh produce business – were presented at Asiafruit Knowledge Centre on 3 September, jointly by Asia Fruit Logistica and Asiafruit Magazine
Zespri won Marketing Campaign of the Year for ‘Jam-Packed with Natural Nutrition’; Freco International took out Importer of the Year; Tops, operated by Central Food Retail, won Produce Retailer of the Year for the outstanding quality, range and presentation of its fresh produce offering; and Goodfarmer Fruit Group received the Impact Award for its key role in developing China’s fresh produce industry over the past 24 years.
“We warmly congratulate our fantastic Asia Fruit Award winners,” said Axiotis. “All four are to be commended for their remarkable achievements and pioneering efforts.”
FreshTech adds new dimension
FreshTech, Asia Fruit Logistica’s dedicated technology platform for the fresh produce value chain, made its debut this year with more than 35 technology exhibitors from over 22 countries and regions, and a two-day programme featuring 25-plus speakers. Across the exhibition and FreshTech Stage, the platform showcased practical innovations and industry perspectives spanning key areas including smart agriculture, automation, cold chain, traceability and AI.
The inaugural FreshTech Innovation Award was presented on 3 September to Ryp Labs for StixFresh/Shelf Defense, a sticker-based technology that helps extend the shelf-life of fresh produce and reduce spoilage. The other two finalists were Ocean Network Express (ONE) with its Dual-Temperature Refrigerated Container, and Wyma Solutions with the Optical Vege-Trimmer, highlighting the breadth of innovation emerging across the fresh produce value chain.
Building on the strong response to its inaugural edition, FreshTech will return in 2027, continuing to bring technology providers, industry experts and fresh produce professionals together around the innovations shaping the future of the industry.
Sustainability and CSR Initiatives
Asia Fruit Logistica has been working with Feeding Hong Kong, a registered food bank charity organisation in Hong Kong dedicated to redistributing surplus food to people in need since 2010. Asia Fruit Logistica continued its partnership with Feeding Hong Kong this year, with exhibitors donating surplus fresh produce after the show to support the local community.
“Asia Fruit Logistica is where the global fresh produce community comes together to connect and explore new opportunities across Asia and beyond,” said Axiotis. “As the industry’s leading platform, we’re proud to keep shaping where Asia’s fresh produce business is headed. We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.”
Asia Fruit Logistica will return to Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo on 7-9 September 2027 to celebrate its milestone 20th edition ’20 Years of Fresh. Growing the next decades’.
