The global trade fair Pet Fair Asia has reported that visitor numbers for its hybrid in-person and online fair in Shanghai in August were up by 6%.
The show was the 23rd edition and was organised by VNU Exhibiitons Asia on August 19-23. Its 17 halls hosted 1,683 exhibitiors and 70,849 registered visitors.
Organisers said the show in Shanghai in took place in a ‘business atmosphere one could almost consider normal’ and, while acknowledging the lack of overseas visitors due to on-going travel restrictions, the exhibition’s attendance was up.
The show was a hybrid event to allow foreign brands and buyers to connect remotely with professionals on-site. This was via an International Matchmaking Program, bringing together international pet brands and local buyers through pre-arranged meetings, videoconferencing and on-site product presentations.
There were also several live video sessions at the show, addressing topics such as 2020 pet food trends or innovation trends in the Chinese pet industry, showcasing a new generation of brands born in China.
With three more halls than the 2019 edition, organisers said the show was a ‘good barometer’ of the pet industry’s ability to resist recession. In particular the pet food sector proved resilient, with numerous new brands being launched.
A spokeman said of the new food brands: “Positioned in the medium- to premium-segment, with fancy design clearly targeting a new generation of pet owners born post-95, these newcomers do not play the cheap card any more.
“They promise high quality nutrition, some of them emphasising their production in state-of-the-art foreign factories; New-Zealand and Canada topping the ‘origin’ chart this year.”
A number of imported brands were also on show, apparently reflecting the growing number of overseas factories receiving approval from China’s Customs and Ministry of Agriculture for general trade import.
The 10th International Pet Industry Summit took place the day before the show. This edition gathered again more than 1,000 delegates who were able to access insight into the latest trends in the Chinese pet industry market.
For the first time, the event was presented under a hybrid form. Some of the speakers unable to fly to Shanghai joined remotely to interact with the live audience.
A full session dedicated to international development opportunities took place live with PIJAC Canada, the American Pet Products Association (APPA), the World Pet Association (WPA), ZZF (German Pet Trade & Industry Association) at the invitation of the Asia Pet Alliance. The session is still available to view online.
