The World of Food Beijing, an event for global suppliers to display their indigenous food products, will be held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing from Nov 26 to 28.

Organized by Koelnmesse, a well-known expo organizer based in Germany and the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce, the Beijing event will cover an area of 30,000 square meters and welcome more than 500 exhibitors, including 203 from 26 foreign countries, such as Germany, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and Thailand.

Dairy, sweets, frozen food, meat, seafood, edible oil, fruit, vegetable, coffee, tea, wine, seasoning and convenience foods will all be on display.

China has increased its food imports by more than 20 percent annually for the past five years. In 2011, the imported food value hit $36.9 billion, up 37.1 percent as compared with the previous year. The figure stood at $40.8 billion from January to November 2012, up 25.1 percent, according to the US Association of Food Industries.

By 2018, China will become the world`s largest consumer of imported food with a market value as much as $80 billion, according to forecasts by the AFI.

Michael Dreyer, vice-president of Koelnmesse, says he believes that the Beijing event will play an important role in boosting food market development in China and the Asia-Pacific region.

Famous retailers such as BHG, OLE, Parkson and 7-11 are among the invited buyers who have signed on to participate. Major e-business players, such as the Jingdong Mall, Yihaodian and womai.com are looking forward to establishing business ties with the foreign food brands at the expo. Moreover, hundreds of hotels and catering institutes will seek quality food suppliers at the event.

Meanwhile, the China International Dairy & Food Expo, Sweets & Snacks China, and International Catering Expo will also be held this month.