40 Hawaii companies, including 16 from Maui and Moloka‘i, shine at FoodEx 2024 in Asia
A total of 40 Hawaii companies, with 15 hailing from Maui and 1 from Moloka‘i, showcased their products at the renowned 49th International Food and Beverage Exhibition (FoodEx) 2024. The event, held from March 5-8, at the Tokyo Big Sight in the Tokyo International Exhibition Center, stands as Asia’s premier food and beverage trade show.
With an impressive attendance of approximately 76,000 qualified buyers, FoodEx featured over 3,000 booths from more than 70 countries, making it a global platform for culinary innovation and commerce.
The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) sponsored the Hawaii Pavilion at FoodEx, a popular stop for buyers at the show.
Maui Food Technology Center (MFTC) in partnership with the County of Maui Office of Economic Development (OED), facilitated the Maui companies. Participants could opt for display-only or both display and sampling formats, with MFTC offering comprehensive services to streamline the exhibition process, including logistics, setup, staffing, translation services, and dismantling. OED’s support also enabled Maui companies to participate at an affordable rate.
The showcased products from Maui Nui encompassed a rich tapestry of flavors reflecting the island’s culinary diversity and creativity. From cookies to gourmet sea salts, freeze-dried candies to specialty wines, these local offerings captivated the discerning palates of FoodEx attendees on a global scale.
The Maui companies who participated in FoodEx 2024 were:
Cymz Sweet Kre8tionz – Cookies
Elle’s Island Marinade – Island style marinade
HI Freeze Treats – Freeze-dried candies and ice cream
Kahele Maui – Maui Cocktail Kits
Manu Munchies – Cookies and brookies
Maui Brewing Company – Maui-brewed beers
Maui Chili Chili Oil – Szechuan style chili oil
Maui Fruit Jewels – Cookies, fruit pastes and purees
Maui Upcountry Jams and Jellies – Mustards and jams
Maui Wine – Specialty wine
Origin Coffee Roasters – Specialty Hawaii coffee
Roselani Ice Cream – Roselani premium ice cream
Sparky’s Food Company – Hurricane Sauce
The ‘Aina Brands – Hawaii coffee capsules, Pacific Gold Sauce
Vitalitea Hawaii – Kombucha and Nitro brews
The Molokai company who participated was Hawaii Kai Corporation – Gourmet Sea Salts.
Nina Tanabe, MS, CFS, interim Board President of MFTC, commented, “Participating in major events like FoodEx is crucial for food manufacturers as it provides local companies with the invaluable opportunity to test their products and gain critical insights from industry professionals and potential buyers worldwide. Whether it’s refining flavors, adjusting packaging, or understanding market preferences, these interactions are instrumental in shaping product development strategies and fostering business growth.”
For more information about Maui Food Technology Center and its initiatives, please visit www.MauiFoodTechnology.org.
