Mar 16, 2022

Asia Fruit Logistica returns to Bangkok in 2022

Asia Fruit Logistica is moving to Bangkok from its traditional location in Hong Kong for its 2022 edition. and takes place on Nov. 2-4 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in the Thai capital.

The exhibition center in Bangkok hosted the first-ever edition of Asia Fruit Logistica back in 2007. Fifteen years later and after a multimillion-dollar upgrade, the facility has added five times more exhibition space as well as new technology and services. It makes QSNCC the ideal venue as Asia’s number one international trade show for fresh fruits and vegetables celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2022.

This year’s relocation to Bangkok is not permanent: Thailand is the best place in Asia this year to host an in-person Asia Fruit Logistica because of the strict Covid-entry travel restrictions that remain in force in Hong Kong and China.

“Asia’s fresh fruit and vegetable trade is desperate to meet in person again, and hosting Asia Fruit Logistica in Bangkok this year means we can put on a physical trade show,” said David Axiotis, executive director of Asia Fruit Logistica. “This is a unique opportunity to reconnect, to re-engage with the market, and to develop new business with new top-level contacts. Asia Fruit Logistica 2022 is as always held alongside Asiafruit Congress, which is the best place to get the best information on every aspect of the fresh produce business across Asia.”

Quarantine-free entry

Thailand resumed its Test and Go program for fully vaccinated travelers on Feb. 1. It means international visitors can attend Asia Fruit Logistica easily and conveniently.

Under the current Test and Go scheme, fully vaccinated travelers can travel by air from any country in the world and are exempt from quarantine. They must take a Covid-19 test on arrival in a government-approved (SHA+) hotel on day 1 [or on their date of arrival]. Travelers are free to go if they receive a negative result and take an ATK self-test on day 5 and report the test result as instructed by the Ministry of Public Health.

“We’re really excited to bring Asia Fruit Logistica back to Bangkok,” said Axiotis. “It’s one of the most dynamic and vibrant cities in Asia and it has a proven track record in facilitating high-quality international events. And it’s also where we started Asia Fruit Logistica in 2007.

“Thailand is well situated in South-East Asia and has excellent global and regional connectivity for international visitors via Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. And we all know that Thailand is a great place to visit.”

Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), said his organization was looking forward to welcoming Asia’s premier fresh fruit and vegetable trade show to Bangkok.

Regional hub

Thailand is also a key hub for South-East Asia’s fast-growing fresh fruit and vegetable business, and presents fresh opportunities for visitors and exhibitors, Axiotis noted.

Thailand is a significant consumer of fresh fruit and vegetables. It is an attractive market for fresh fruit imports, with volumes up by 30% year-on-year in 2020 to almost 700,000 tonnes.

The South-East Asian nation is also a powerhouse exporter of tropical fruits, shipping some 1.65m tonnes of tropical fruits in 2020. China took more than 65% of its exports. It means that many top Chinese companies have offices in Thailand to manage their sourcing.

Axiotis said Global Produce Events (GPE) is now going full steam ahead with preparations for the 2022 edition of Asia Fruit Logistica.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming our exhibitors and visitors to Bangkok and to putting on a really great show for the global fresh fruit and vegetable business,” Axiotis said.

For more information on exhibiting at Asia Fruit Logistica and online registration forms, go to www.asiafruitlogistica.com/en/exhibitors.