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China: The Brewing Industry Association of the China National Food Industry Association has announced its support and cooperation in the organization of BevTek & BrewTek China 2005, which will be held in conjunction with ProPak China 2005. The Brewing Industry Association represents 87 per cent of the total 530 brewers in China as well as over 200 technology manufacturers. The members of the association account for a massive 98 per cent of all beer production in China, which will soon be the world’s largest beer market in terms of volume and growth.

Production for the beverage industry and brewing industries in China enjoys double-digit growth. The country’s relatively low rate of consumption is increasing and is developing in tandem with a growing economy and rising incomes. This buoyant market has seen tremendous activity with recent major investments from all the main international brewing giants in local breweries and the formation of a number of significant joint ventures.

The Brewing Industry Association will be organising a conference for their members at BevTek & BrewTek China 2005, providing a major focus for the brewing and beverage industries in Shanghai and Eastern China. “ProPak China has traditionally had strong participation from suppliers to the beverage sector,” said Vicky Leung, ProPak China project manager at China International Exhibitions (CIE).

“Given the levels of activity in the sector and the enthusiasm of the Brewing Industry Association we are very excited about the prospect of creating a dedicated focus for the beverage and brewing sector. We are confident that BevTek & BrewTek China as an integral part of ProPak China will provide the event that Shanghai and Eastern China have been waiting for.”

Indeed, China is poised to overtake the US in becoming the largest national beer market in the world. This is likely to happen before the next century begins, according to an Access Asia research report. Thus China is an increasingly important market, with a lot more potential for investment. The report bases this assumption on the fact that retail volumes for beer rose by 23.29 per cent between 1997 and 2003 and that in 2002 the market reached an estimated value of RMB 163.98 billion (€16.1bn).

The further potential of the Chinese beer market is highlighted by the fact that, despite volumes being significant, per capita consumption is still relatively low. In 2003 an average of 18.76 litres of beer was consumed by each person on a yearly basis. This compares to 44.5 litres per capita in South Korea, 41.9 in Japan and 29 litres in Hong Kong.

Such figures indicate that as the economy continues to develop, so too will the potential for greater levels of beer consumption. ProPak China 2005, from the 26 to 28 July 2005, will once again provide a focused integrated international event for suppliers to this market. The show will include specialist features for the brewing and beverage, dairy and flexible packaging sectors as well as covering all aspects of processing and packaging.

ProPak China was recently admitted to membership of COPE (Confederation of Organisers of Packaging Exhibitions) and has the honour of being the first show in China to attain membership, further recognition of the international prestige and standing of this event.


10 October, 2004