The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service has given its stamp of approval to the U.S.'s participation in the highly anticipated Food Ingredients Asia show set to take place in Jakarta, Indonesia from September 4th to 6th, 2024. This event, which began in 1994, holds a crucial position in fueling the growth and development of the food industry and continues to be a leading platform for food and beverage ingredient sourcing not only in Indonesia but also across the region. It serves as a gathering ground for food ingredient manufacturers from various countries.

USDA-Endorsed USA Pavilion: A Hub of Activity

The USDA-endorsed USA Pavilion witnessed the presence of 14 U.S. exhibitors during the three-day exhibition. Remarkably, this event attracted a whopping 22,231 attendees from 26 different countries, marking a 15 percent increase from the six-year high achieved in 2018. On the very first day of the show, the Foreign Agricultural Service organized a series of three engaging activities. These included market briefings specifically tailored for U.S. exhibitors, an opening ceremony led by the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Heather Merritt, and a captivating cooking demonstration by the renowned celebrity chef Rinrin Marinka. The demonstration showcased Indonesian dishes prepared using U.S. ingredients, such as the delectable cheese egg roll dabu-dabu made with U.S. cheeses and chickpeas, and the sugarless spiced banoffee pie featuring U.S. Medjool dates.

Business Opportunities Galore

U.S. exhibitors actively engaged in 144 business meetings, using this platform to introduce their products and establish valuable industry contacts that are likely to translate into future sales. The participation in Food Ingredients Asia proved to be a successful venture as it enabled the test-marketing of 89 new American products. Exhibitors reported making 91 serious business contacts during the show, indicating the significant potential for growth. Among the products that generated the most buyer interest were whey protein, flavors and colors, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, honey powder, and molasses powder.

Buyers' Delight

Food Ingredients Asia Indonesia 2024 offered buyers the unique opportunity to connect with U.S. companies presenting an extensive and innovative range of U.S. food ingredients. In total, the USA Pavilion boasted 14 U.S. exhibitors, an increase from the 10 exhibitors in 2022. The event was a resounding success, with projected sales of $3.5 million for dairy ingredients, plant-based protein ingredients, pulses, flavors, dehydrated potatoes, and specialty ingredients over a 12-month period. This showcases the immense potential and value that this event brings to the table.