The 18th Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded on November 7, 2026, attracting more than 8,200 trade buyers from 66 countries and regions. The three-day event featured over 620 exhibitors from more than 25 countries and regions, showcasing wine, spirits, sake, beer, and low- and no-alcohol beverages from over 40 origins worldwide. On the final day, the fair opened its Saturday Fiesta zone to public visitors aged 18 or above, drawing over 11,000 attendees who sampled products and participated in a diverse programme of activities.
Smilely Lam, Associate Executive Director of the HKTDC, said the fair brings together producers, brands, importers, distributors, retailers, and hospitality professionals from around the world, fostering international collaboration and creating opportunities for businesses to discover new products and markets. This year's fair featured the top 10 Chinese baijiu brands, alongside newly participating wine-producing regions and innovative elements such as WineTech, reflecting the increasing diversification of the wine and spirits market.
The acclaimed World of Spirits zone returned on a larger scale, bringing together spirits exhibitors from 17 countries and regions representing all eight major categories of spirits. Chris Dennis, Export Adviser at Australia's Investment NSW, noted that Hong Kong's reduction in duty on high-end spirits has created an excellent business environment, helping a delegation of five craft spirits companies connect with quality importers and distributors from the Chinese Mainland, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Germany, and Jamaica. Martin PÅ™ibík, CEO and Co-founder of Garage22, a craft distillery from Prague, Czechia, reported securing orders on the first day and connecting with around 20 buyers, including local restaurant operators and buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.
In the wine sector, Italy's Calabria region, Georgia, and Brazil staged dedicated pavilions for the first time. Calabria made its Hong Kong debut and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the HKTDC to strengthen cooperation in trade and cultural exchange. Antonio Montuoro, Calabria Regional Minister for International Cooperation Activities, said Hong Kong is an important hub connecting the Chinese Mainland and ASEAN markets. Irakli Cholobargia, CEO of the Clay & Wine Association, which led a Georgian pavilion featuring 10 boutique wineries, noted successful connections with buyers from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, Vietnam, Australia, and Spain, bringing the association closer to its goal of exporting 20,000 bottles annually per member winery.
China's wine and spirits industry accelerated its international expansion, with the top 10 Chinese baijiu brands actively exploring overseas markets and attracting younger consumers through innovation. Lv Furong, President of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Sichuan Council (CCPIT Sichuan), said the fair serves as a key springboard to take Sichuan baijiu to global markets, highlighting low-alcohol baijiu, fruit-aroma baijiu, and premium grain spirits tailored to younger consumers. CCPIT Sichuan and the HKTDC signed an MOU to jointly strengthen the international promotion and market development of Chinese baijiu. Wines from Xinjiang, Ningxia, and Xizang also drew overseas buyers, with Bobo Ng, Managing Director of Hong Kong Canton Wilson International Investment Trading Company Limited, reporting on-site sales exceeding HK$10,000 and a first-year sales target of HK$500,000 in the Hong Kong and Macao markets.
Local Hong Kong brands used the fair to explore overseas opportunities, with products incorporating distinctive local flavours attracting buyer interest. Kainny Chin, Co-Founder of Quadran Ltd, said a gin cocktail inspired by Hong Kong's salted lime 7-Up drink attracted distributors and food and beverage groups from ASEAN, the Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong. The low- and no-alcohol segment continued to grow, with Cleddau Brewing Co. from Wales launching its new brand in Asia and estimating the fair could generate around US$50,000 in orders.
The fair also highlighted technological innovation, with the Tech for the Wine & Spirits Industry Forum bringing together company representatives to discuss AI and digital technologies. More than 40 events were held, including masterclasses led by four Masters of Wine and the inaugural Sommelier's Picks Sharing Session. The fair adopted the EXHIBITION+ hybrid format, allowing buyers and exhibitors to engage in online negotiations through the Click2Match platform until November 14, 2026. For more information, visit the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair website, and photo downloads are available at https://bit.ly/4k4naF9. The HKTDC, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub through international exhibitions, conferences, and business missions. For more information, visit www.hktdc.com/aboutus. View the original release on www.newmediawire.com.
