 Packaged specialty products branded Ca Men have been exported to demanding markets like the US, Canada, and Australia. (Photo: Ngoc Diep, VOV’s reporter in Bangkok) |
THAIFEX - Anuga Asia, the largest and most comprehensive food and beverage trade fair in Asia, took place at the Impact Arena, Exhibition, and Convention Centre in Muang Thong Thani from May 28 – June 1.
According to Le Huu Phuc, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Thailand, the trade fair focuses on innovation, ranging from networking to labeling, packaging, and trends in functional, halal, and vegetarian foods, which are the key trends that will significantly impact the food industry in the future.
Participating in the event, the HCMC-based Ca Men Manufacturing Trading Company introduced its packaged instant Hue beef noodle soup and Nghe An eel vermicelli.
Le Trong Don, a representative of the Ca Men Company, says instant specialty bowls branded Ca Men which means “mess kit” or “lunch box” were ready to eat 3 to 5 minutes after they were placed on the stove or in the microwave.
Don recalled he used to hear about soldiers carrying mess kits. When he grew up, he saw his parents using lunch boxes to bring rice to the fields.
“We wanted to use the image of the mess kit to package regional specialties and make them more portable. We have packaged snakehead fish porridge of Quang Tri province, eel vermicelli of Nghe An province, thick noodle soup with fish cakes of Nha Trang city, and thick noodle soup with crab of the southern region and exported them to the US, Canada, and Australia via official channels,” said Don.
Attending Thaifex for the second time this year, the Dong Nai-based Nature Foods Company introduced I.SOUP, a freeze-dried soup that uses advanced technology from Japan.
 Tran Thi Kieu Thuong of the Nature Foods Company (Photo: Ngoc Diep) |
The Nature Foods Company is a manufacturer and supplier of dried agricultural and seafood products, powdered spices, and instant powdered beverages.
I.SOUP is a perfect fusion of tradition and convenience that can bring Vietnamese flavors to every corner of the world, said company spokesperson Tran Thi Kieu Thuong.
“Our company's products are full of traditional taste but foreigners like them very much,” said Thuong, adding, “Vietnamese cuisine has spread widely around the world and we want to bring more traditional dishes like these to the world market. Vietnamese dishes are very well received by international friends.”
 Pham Dinh Ngai, CEO of Sokfarm Coconut Nectar Company (Photo: Ngoc Diep) |
Although this was his third time at the Thaifex fair, Pham Dinh Ngai, CEO and founder of the Sokfarm Coconut Nectar Company, was excited to introduce his company’s latest product – organic reduced salt soy sauce that meets international standards and is made from coconut nectar and sea salt.
According to Ngai, because many people are allergic to soybean or gluten, the main ingredients in soy sauce, Sokfarm decided to make a soy sauce without soybeans.
“Ours is made of coconut nectar and sea salt. If in the future coconut nectar becomes saltier due to greater salinity in the Mekong Delta, it will remain a very good ingredient for our organic soy sauce. We believe our soy sauce has high sustainability,” said Ngai.
Themed “Beyond Food Experience”, THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2024 was attended by 3,000 businesses from 50 countries, who showcased their products in 6,000 booths representing 11 specialty sectors.