The 27th edition of the FHC Shanghai Global Food Trade Show took place in Shanghai last week, making it one of the leading exhibitions in the food and beverage industry.

Traditionally, the Czech stand featured producers of Czech beer and spirits, health food and baby food, who took advantage of the Ministry of Agriculture's subsidy programme for participation in foreign trade fairs.

The opening ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Shanghai, who also visited Czech companies at the national stand. The Consul General of the Czech Republic, Karel Šrol, together with other European representatives, then opened the European stand. The theme of the European stand was the protection of geographical indications and the stand presented selected protected European products, including Czech beer. The EU has already signed a major bilateral agreement with China in 2020 on the protection of geographical indications, which protects 100 traditional European products on the Chinese market against imitation and 100 Chinese products on the European market; for the Czech Republic these are Českobudějovické pivo and Žatecký chmel. A second list of GI-protected products is currently being prepared, which should come into force next year, and the Czech Republic will again be represented on it.

This year's event hosted over 3,000 exhibitors from more than 50 countries and regions, and more than 170,000 F&B professionals and enthusiasts from around the world are expected to attend the event together. Among the largest European exhibitors were Italians, Slovenians, Germans and Austrians. The Czech stand was also not to be missed and with its attractive products attracted not only many curious visitors but also those interested in the possible distribution of the goods on offer.

Jan Kubacka, Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Shanghai