Cafe Show China 2024, an international coffee expo, concluded Sunday at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing.

The three-day event attracted companies from top coffee-producing regions, including Honduras, Ethiopia and Colombia, as well as from burgeoning markets like China. Participants showcased their latest coffee products with varied tastes, quite appealing to coffee enthusiasts.

Much like the first sip of a perfectly brewed morning coffee, Cafe Show China pulsed with energy, showcasing a vibrant exchange of global coffee cultures and emerging opportunities.

International exhibitors target China's thriving coffee market

A Honduran exhibitor at the country's embassy booth during Cafe Show China 2024 in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

Carlos Estevez of Honduran coffee brand ASOPROSAN saw huge market potential at the expo, as Chinese attendees sampled Honduran coffee at the country's embassy booth.

This year marked the first participation of Honduran enterprises at the expo, following the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Honduras in March 2023.

Fredis Cerrato, Honduran minister of economic development, said at an August China-Honduras business trade conference in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras, that trade between the two countries has rapidly developed since establishing diplomatic ties, opening the potential for the export of Honduran products like coffee to China.

Estevez said his company, already established in European and American markets, is eager to promote Honduran coffee in China and build long-term partnerships. He expressed great pride in their products, highlighting their commitment to environmentally friendly and sustainable production practices.

A visitor learns to operate a hand-press coffee maker during Cafe Show China 2024 in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

The expansion comes as China's coffee consumption shows robust growth. Statistics from 2023 reveal that the country's annual per capita coffee consumption stood at 16.74 cups, with coffee-related imports reaching a record 7.8 billion yuan ($1.1 billion).

Estevez said the expo provides a platform to introduce Chinese consumers to premium Honduran coffees. He plans to conduct market research and identify cooperative models that accommodate local preferences and economic conditions, including pricing strategies.

He said he was eager to develop connections with more Chinese importers during the event, aiming to enhance trade relations and foster mutual economic growth between the two countries.

First-time exhibitors from Uganda were also targeting the Chinese market. A spokesperson for Star Cafe said, "Our future plan is to open stores here for people to taste our coffee."

The spokesperson emphasized mutual interests between China and Africa, expressing excitement for deeper cultural and commercial exchanges.

Chinese coffee, tech innovations featured at expo

Exhibitors from Yunnan province host a coffee cupping event during Cafe Show China 2024 in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

Yunnan coffee enterprises' booths drew crowds at the expo. The province, a key coffee-growing region in China, is known for producing high-quality beans with distinct flavors that have won over many coffee enthusiasts. Pu'er, a city in Yunnan, is often called China's "Coffee Capital."

Ye Hong, business manager of Golden Mountain, a coffee brand based in Yunnan, said, "Veteran coffee enthusiasts often seek out more premium varieties."

Yunnan's coffee producers are collaborating with research institutes to develop superior varieties as China's coffee market grows and international exchanges increase, according to Ye.

She added that the brand is expanding into overseas markets, including Australia, the Republic of Korea and Thailand, and expressed optimism about local coffee's growth potential.

A coffee enthusiast joyfully presents an array of empty cups from various tastings at Cafe Show China 2024 in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

During the expo, Miss Wu, a keen coffee lover, participated in a cupping activity run by Yunnan's exhibitors. "I'm surprised by the range of unique flavors," Wu said. "They even showcase Yunnan specialty coffees with distinctive names, like 'Peacock Princess' hanging ear coffee."

Wu expressed confidence that Yunnan coffee will gain recognition in larger markets, both domestically and internationally.

The expo featured a wide and varied range of displays. In addition to coffee and its derivatives, an impressive array of related technology was showcased, including coffee machines and roasters.

Li Cheng, an exhibitor from Beijing Xiaoyuan Technology Co. Ltd., demonstrated the company's latest innovation: an intelligent beverage machine. During a live presentation, he enthusiastically showed how the device, preloaded with ingredients, can swiftly produce an extensive selection of drinks.

According to Li, the machine effectively addresses common issues in the traditional beverage sector, such as low efficiency, high operating costs, and potential food safety risks.

Li Cheng of Beijing Xiaoyuan Technology Co. Ltd. introduces the company's smart beverage dispenser during Cafe Show China 2024 in Beijing, China, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn]

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