Chongqing to Host Food Processing and Hot Pot Expo, Highlighting Industry Growth

Chongqing - To boost the food and agri-product processing sector and support Chongqing's goal of becoming the "Hot Pot Capital of the World," the 2024 Chongqing Industrial Ecosystem High-Quality Development Conference will run from October 24 to 27 at the Chongqing International Expo Center. It is expecting 3,000 representatives and over 150,000 visitors.

Hot Pot Ingredient Showcase. (Photo/Zou Le)

At a recent press conference, Chen Yong, Deputy Secretary of the Chongqing Agriculture and Rural Committee, announced plans for the food and agri-product processing sector. The upcoming conference will host industry experts and key players in closed-door sessions and international forums to discuss trends and strategies for high-quality growth.

Chongqing’s food and agri-product processing industry is on the rise, with 849 large enterprises and a total output of 109.037 billion yuan, up 5.7% year-on-year. It ranks second among the city’s "33618" manufacturing clusters, just behind the new energy vehicle sector.

Chen emphasized Chongqing’s commitment to expanding enterprises, supporting public listings, and advancing technological upgrades. Efforts will also focus on securing raw material supplies through 100 standardized cultivation and breeding bases and enhancing cold-chain logistics.

The government also plans to nurture standout products with annual revenues exceeding one billion yuan and support counties and districts in creating best-selling products with revenues above 50 million yuan.

Concurrently, the Ninth China (Chongqing) International Hot Pot Industry Expo will span 120,000 square meters and feature over 2,000 companies and 60,000 products, from agricultural ingredients to hot pot restaurants and services.

Residents tasted and purchased at the Eighth China (Chongqing) International Hot Pot Industry Expo. (Photo/Zou Le)

Yu Chaohong, Chief Economist of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce, highlighted that this year’s expo will prominently feature a hot pot brand franchise exhibit, bringing together over 30 well-known hot pot chains, including Dezhuang Hot Pot, Liu's Chongqing Hot Pot, and Cygnet Hot Pot.

The "Chongqing Hot Pot Grand Feast " is a highlight of the expo, which will feature a giant hot pot serving 60 people and a pop-up store with top hot pot brands. It invites enthusiasts and industry pros to explore collaboration and immerse in Chongqing’s hot pot culture.

Yu highlighted plans to build a high-standard hot pot ingredient processing park, attracting top enterprises to create a national hub for ingredients and production. Initiatives like product launches will foster "star products" and drive industry innovation.

Chongqing’s hot pot industry, widely recognized as the city’s most distinctive culinary brand, has been significantly boosted by the municipal government’s introduction of the "Guidelines on Promoting the High-Quality Development of Chongqing's Hot Pot Industry" earlier this year. The government will also push for hot pot industry legislation, providing a comprehensive framework to ensure sustainable, high-quality development.