Hong Kong’s total exports of processed food and beverages reached HK$46.5 billion in 2024, with re-exports accounting for more than 84% in value terms. Mainland China and Macao were the top two largest markets for Hong Kong’s processed food and beverage exports, accounting for 49% and 29% of the total exports respectively last year.

Thailand has reached a new agreement with China on inspection and sanitary standards for farmed aquatic products, opening the door for large-scale seafood export. Signed in February 2025, the deal introduces trade regulations to support exports of Thai aquaculture products. It outlines sanitary and quarantine standards for farmed aquatic products, simplifying the approval process for future seafood exports and facilitating trade.

The Gulf states – with their growing demand, increasing health consciousness, low regulation and little threat of tariffs – offer a potential bonanza to international food exporters.

China will impose additional tariffs on some agricultural products imported from the US starting from 10 March 2025, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced on 4 March. An additional 15% tariff will be imposed on chicken, wheat, corn and cotton, while sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruit, vegetables and dairy products will be subject to an additional 10% tariff. For these products, corresponding tariffs will be added to the current tariff rates. There will be no changes to current bonded policies, or to tax reduction and exemption policies, and the latest tariffs to be imposed will not be reduced or exempted. Goods already in transit before 10 March and imported into China between 10 March and 12 April will not be affected by the current tariff increases. A detailed list of the agricultural products affected is available on the Ministry of Finance website at https://gss.mof.gov.cn/gzdt/zhengcefabu/202503/t20250304_3959228.htm.

F&B businesses at Gulfood 25 expo reveal different approaches to US tariff threat – diversify markets, look for advantages, invest in the US, or ride it out.

Mainland China’s e-commerce market is booming, but competition is fierce. Many in the health products sector believe that “Brand Hong Kong” inspires confidence among mainland consumers. As a result, Hong Kong health brands looking to explore the mainland market may find it advantageous to explore the demand there via cross-border e-commerce channel, which allows them to bypass the cumbersome product registration procedures associated with “general trade” practice. It also enables them to gauge consumer responses through e-commerce retail platforms. These insights can then be used to develop long-term strategies for venturing into the mainland market.

When consumers purchase fruit, their primary consideration is often its appearance. This has led to the rejection of fruits that are high in quality but do not meet aesthetic standards. These "ugly fruits" are frequently discarded as food waste despite being perfectly edible. not only powder (nop), is working to repurpose these "ugly fruits" into high-quality products, thereby generating economic value through a circular economy approach.

As announced with immediate effect by the General Administration of Customs on 7 January, cultured aquatic products from Hong Kong may now be exported to the mainland provided that they meet relevant laws and regulations, in addition to the inspection, quarantine and hygiene requirements agreed by the GAC and the Environment and Ecology Bureau of Hong Kong.

The General Administration of Customs recently unveiled 15 measures to promote the further development of China’s western regions. These cover the construction of smart ports and international aviation hubs; customs control facilitation; multi-modal transportation; the cultivation of special agricultural and food brands; development of new business sectors such as bonded R&D and bonded repair; coordination of infectious disease prevention and control mechanisms between ports; intellectual property; and joint efforts against the smuggling of dangerous goods such as weapons, ammunition and narcotics.

The FDA is proposing to require a front-of-package nutrition label for most packaged foods that according to the agency will give consumers readily visible information about a food’s saturated fat, sodium and added sugars content. Separately, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau is considering proposals to modify the labelling requirements for alcoholic beverages.